Electric commercial vehicles from three SMMT members are the latest exhibits to be showcased in the Society’s modern exhibition space located in the heart of Westminster. Vans from Allied Electric and Azure Dynamics are joined by a chassis cab from Smith Electric Vehicles.
Allied Electric – Peugeot eBipper
The Peugeot eBipper by Allied Electric is fitted with the company’s unique remote electronic diagnostic and management system – zWeb. The system monitors individual cell charge and temperature to maximise overall battery performance, delivering appropriate energy to the electric powertrain. zWeb also analyses the health of the battery throughout its life and provides in-built GPS tracking.
The eBipper has a range of approximately 60 miles, taking 8.5 hours to fully recharge on a standard charge, or around three hours on a 3-phase fast-charge. Carrying capacity is identical to that on a diesel or petrol powered Bipper, with no intrusion of the battery pack into the load or passenger space.
Allied’s 20-acre specialist vehicle manufacturing plant, based in Glasgow, has recently expanded with the addition of a new, 100,000 square feet assembly plant adjacent to the existing production facilities.
Smith Electric Vehicles – Smith Edison chassis cab
Built on the Ford Transit chassis, the Smith Edison is available as a panel van, chassis cab or minibus, in gross vehicle weights ranging from 3.5t to 4.6t. The chassis cab model on display at SMMT is suitable for bodies including dropside, tipper, box and refrigerated box.
The Edison has an average range between 55 and 110 miles, with the option of a larger battery pack for increased range, as well as a fast-charger that can completely recharge the batteries in four hours.
Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric
Assembled at Azure’s Gloucestershire facility, the Transit Connect Electric is the result of Azure Dynamics integrating its ‘Force Drive’ electric powertrain into a Ford Transit Connect LWB chassis. Using an advanced lithium-ion battery made by Johnson Controls, the van can achieve a range of up to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle, with a top speed of 75mph.
The battery is rechargeable in six to 10 hours on a standard charge, and has a maximum payload of about half a ton. The Transit Connect Electric is eligible for the full £8,000 incentive from the government’s Plug-In Van Grant.
The exhibition space at SMMT can hold multiple vehicles with or without additional smaller exhibits (engines, design canvases, drivetrains, chassis, technology demonstrators, simulators etc) and is reserved solely for the use of SMMT members.
Click through the slideshow below to see all the photos from SMMT’s exhibition space.
