Smith utilizes an underslung battery design, so that the 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack does not impinge on the passenger area of the vehicle.

Designed for urban operations, the Edison minibus is targeted at applications such as airport passenger transfer, tourist attractions, city trips and closed campus travel on large commercial, military, education and industrial sites.

Essex County Council has purchased the first vehicle, where it will be used for transporting people with learning disabilities, in the Harlow area.

Boom lift. Smith Electric Vehicles is also showcasing the UK’s first fully electric vehicle-mounted van-mounted aerial work platform. Vehicle-mounted aerial lifts are widely used in the utility sector, to safely lift up workers for maintenance work at height.

This type of vehicle typically services a small geographic territory, which is ideal for limited range vehicles. And because van-mounted vehicle-mounted lifts often operate in urban areas, a zero emission vehicle with a silent motor is more considerate towards residents.

The 4,600 kg GVW vehicle utilizes the Smith Edison long wheelbase electric van chassis cab, with a lift mechanism from Versalift. Both the lifting mechanism and the vehicle are powered by Edison’s 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The van Versalift vehicle has a range of up to 80 miles on a full charge, which is impacted by around 10% when the lift is operated. Due to Versalift’s lightweight yet strong boom design, the platform has a safe working load of 200 kg—the same lifting capacity as the equivalent diesel-powered vehicle.

Utility company Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) has purchased the first vehicle, for trials in its service and maintenance fleet. SSE pioneered the use of new-technology electric commercial vehicles three years ago, when it took delivery of the first ever Smith Edison panel van.