Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation has teamed with Altec Industries Inc, based in Birmingham AL, to introduce America's first all-electric utility truck with an aerial device. The truck was unveiled at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in Williamsburg VA recently.
The truck is a battery, all-electric Smith Newton produced by SEV US and SEV UK with an aerial bucket integrated by Altec.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will play a critical role in development of this vehicle. The first test unit will be added to PG&E's fleet to conduct routine and emergency overhead line work in its northern and central California service area. PG&E will provide test data to SEV US and Altec for creation of a production model. This unit is the first all-electric aerial utility truck to be put into operation by a major utility company before being brought to the market.
The Smith Newton stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration. The Smith Newton has a top speed of up to 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles, and a payload rating of up to 16,280 lbs. The Altec component, an AT37-G aerial boom, is a telescopic articulating device used for electric utility line maintenance and installation. The aerial has a maximum height of 37.8 feet and reach of 28.3 feet.
SEV US is initially focusing its production on battery-electric-powered vehicles for depot-based predictable-route delivery and service fleets. The trucks will be assembled at the company's 80,000-square-foot plant in Kansas City. It will begin production using chassis from multiple vehicle manufacturers.
In collaboration with Ford Motor Company, SEV US has agreed to upfit Ford chassis to deliver Ford's first electrified vehicle for the North American market. Using proprietary technologies transferred from the The Tanfield Group Plc, SEV US will assemble and manufacture the Transit Connect as a BEV (battery electric vehicle) light-duty van scheduled for production in 2010.