Royal Mail trials electric vehicles

Smith Electric Vehicles has won its first order from the Royal Mail – one of each of the Edison and Newton delivery vehicles. The vehicles will be trialled in London, in parcel and post distribution operations.

Edison is a sub-3.5t electric van, built using the Ford Transit shell. Newton is sold in 7.5t and 9t configurations. Both vehicles have restricted top speeds of up to 50mph and are capable of covering 150 miles on one battery charge.

Royal Mail has a fleet of more than 33,000 delivery vehicles operating across the UK, including approximately 10,700 3.5t vans and 2,500 7.5 tonners.

The manufacturer is installing extra electric vehicle production capacity at Vigo Centre, its 250,000sq ft assembly facility in Tyne & Wear, UK.

Darren Kell, chief executive of Smith’s parent company Tanfield, said: “The adoption of the Low Emission Zone in London and expected road pricing in 10 other urban conurbations across the UK will significantly increase the addressable market for electric vehicles.”