UK capital set for electric vehicle revolution10 May 2010

A £67 million tender has been issued by Transport for London, for the supply of up to 1,300 electric and hybrid vehicles.

While 70% of the funding is for passenger vehicles carrying up to eight people, the remaining 30% are split into four categories: electric scooters and motorbikes; vehicles with more than eight seats, but weighing less that 5 tonnes; European category N1 goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes; and European category goods vehicles in the 3.5 to 12 tonne range.

Smith Electric Vehicles offers products that fit into three of the four categories and, as a result, reckons it will be bidding for a total of around £22 million worth of electric vehicle orders.

Kevin Harkin of Smith Electric Vehicles says the tender will provide a huge boost to Britain's electric vehicles industry.

"Large-scale procurement can stimulate the market, grow volumes and thereby help electric vehicle manufacturers bring down the purchase costs for fleet managers," he explains.

Harkin also adds that he hopes the example set by TfL will be followed by other operators of large fleets.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Smith Technologies Ltd

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