Another world first on Biglorryblog! Well actually it's a 'world first' for Smith Electric Vehicles----at least that's what they're claiming only this time, it's for "...the largest electric truck with a tipper body ever produced in the world!"
Apparently this Smith Newton 7.5-tonner, based on an Avia chassis is being used by Balfour Beatty who is deploying it around the Houses of Parliament in London. The 7.5-tonner has a 120kW electric motor powered by an 84kW battery pack and it's capable of 50mph and 100+ miles on one battery charge. The ultra-lightweight aluminium tipper body gives it a payload of 2,400kg---which is well on a par with the conventional diesel tippers that Balfour Beatty normally runs.
Meanwhile, Smith Electric Vehicles says it will be "Launching production of a full range of commercial electric vehicles for North America later this year."
Even discounting diesel - electric mining trucks, I don't think the Smith Newton is the largest truck with a tipper body ever produced in the world. Or even the UK come to that.
In my archive I have a brochure on an Electric lorry produced by Richard Garrett & Sons Ltd of Leiston, Suffolk circa 1929/30. This firm was better known for their steam lorries and engines.
The brochure describes a lorry that was supplied to Glasgow Corporation for refuse collection and was equipped with a side - tipping refuse body (a little like the old style RCV body seen on the Karrier Bantam recently featured in this blog)
The Garrett weighed 6 tons, 10 cwt unladen and its' carrying capacity was 4/5 tons, giving it a GVW significantly higher than the Smith. It had a top laden speed of 10mph with a range of 40 miles.
Still, it's great to see Smith producing a truck like the Newton, and I really hope they do very well with it.
Smith do have a habit of slapping the 'world first' label on new products. They seem to be doing so with their Ampere range of small electric vans based on the Ford Transit Connect. Having driven an electric Citroen Berlingo van I question Smith's claim.
It's a shamne they employ such hype. They surely don't need to. They have successfuly introduced four ranges of electric vehicles in less than 2 years - a pretty amazing feat for any vehicle maker.
Afraid I don't count the Liebherr 600-tonner as electric vehicle though!
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