Smith Electric Vehicles Delivers First Battery-Electric Truck into Ireland

26 March 2009

Building materials retailer Grange Builders Providers, of Baldoyle, Dublin, has purchased a Smith Newton truck for deliveries of building and DIY products. The 10-tonne truck is the largest pure electric vehicle on the road in Ireland.

Designed for city and town center use, the Smith Newton is powered by an 80 kWh Li-ion battery pack and a 120 kW electric motor. This provides a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a range of 100 miles (160 km) on one battery charge. The regenerative braking system returns power back to the batteries every time the vehicle slows and also helps to reduce wear and tear on the conventional brakes.

In January 2009, the government of Ireland announced a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020. This represents some 250,000 cars, vans and trucks on Irish roads over the coming years. As one of new Government incentives in support of the goal, any company buying the Smith Newton can write down 100% of the cost against Corporation Tax, in the first year of purchase.

Grange Builders Providers purchased its battery-powered truck from Electric Vehicles Ireland, the full service dealer for Smith Electric Vehicles in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Electric Vehicles Ireland sells the full range of Smith commercial electric vehicles and also provides product support and spare parts.