Zero Emissions Newton Heads to U.S.
Via Engadget, via Far East Gizmos, I picked up the tidbit that Smith Electric Vehicles is bringing its Newton truck to the United States, a conveyance being billed as the “world’s largest all electric truck” at 24,000 lbs. (gross vehicle weight.)
Powered by 278-volt batteries and using a 120 kilowatt motor, the Netwon can travel 150 miles and make 50 mph. (Load capacity 15,800 lbs.) Smith will be putting the factory in Fresno in 2008 and they hope to turn out 10,000 units yearly by 2010. The Newton is already a fairly common sight in Europe where it was launched in 2007 and is used by DHL, TK Maxx, Starbucks, Marks & Spencer, and even the Royal Mail in the UK.
I’m always interested and gratified to see the latest zippy little electric vehicle that’s introduced and I’m even pleased to be seeing a stab at “hybrid-ism” in SUVs, but the truth of the matter is that alternative fuel revolution needs to hit the transportation industry. There are great strides being made with clean diesel (a phrase I still find oxymoronic every time I type it), which is great for long hauls. The Newton, however, is the kind of truck we need for short haul, in-town, delivery type driving and in my book is a welcome addition to the growing numbers of zero emissions vehicles in the U.S.