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Smith's electric vans for mail
Page 29
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• Smith's Electric Vehicles Ltd., Team Valley, Gateshead, has completed a first contract for five electric parcel-delivery vehicles for the Post Office.
The vehicles are based on the Smith's "Commuter" walk-through chassis originally designed for the North American market and since exported to many parts of the world. It is the only forward front-axle electric vehicle chassis in production in the UK and is also used in the Smith's "Cabac" dairy vehicle.
The Post Office version includes parallel/ series control for maximum economy on multi stop/start work and is fitted with 40-cell Exide batteries of 329-ampere-hour capacity to allow a running speed of 20 mph for up to 40 miles per charge when carrying a 30cwt payload.
The 240-cu.-ft. capacity bodies are fitted with demountable shelving which fits flush with the body sides when not required while the rear end of the body forms a low-level platform for ease of loading through full-width rear doors.
To meet special requirements Smith's has fitted shock absorbers and developed an electric-vehicle-cab heater operated by 80V in the series position.
The Smith's "Commuter" will be used in London, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Blackpool and Leicester.