E VEHICLES of Shrewsbury, part of the Kenning Motor Group,
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is ollaborate with Leyland Vehicles on the production of 7.5-tonne is weight electro-powered Terriers.
arrier chassis cabs will be t at Leyland's Bathgate plant I transported to W&E ides' premises where the Aric driveline and auxiliary ipment will be installed. !though initially more expen sive than an equivalent dieselengined vehicle, a Department of Industry driveline subsidy should bring the total life cost of the vehicle into line with conventionally powered vehicles.
Two drivelines are to be offered. The Lucas Chloride EV system includes a 160v Chloride high energy density battery, Chloride Legg transistor controller, and EDC motor.
In the second system, an Oldham 160v high energy density battery is used in conjunction with a Cableform transistor controller and EDC motor.
Batteries mounted in four identical packs contribute a high proportion of the vehicles overall weight, limiting the payload to about three tonnes.
At 7.5 tonnes gross, the vehicle can be driven by a nonhgv driver. With a top speed of 64km/h (40mph) the laden vehicle has a range of 80km (50 miles) over urban routes.
Two of the first four vehicles to be built are to be operated by the North-West Electricity Board and the Southern Electricity Board.
Following the launch, Leyland says it has received an encouraging number of enquiries and has an initial planned production run of 75 vehicles. Many of the first batch will go into service with public utilities and local councils.
Further development will extend the range of 9.5 tonnes gross.
Chris Woodcock, Leyland's newly appointed sales and marketing director, commented: "Small volume production is uneconomic for Leyland Vehicles. In joining with W&E Vehicles, one of the largest producers of electric vehicles in the UK, we are able to benefit from its wealth of experience in this particular field."