Tanfield Group. DELIVERING already, and REACHING higher

AUTHOR: David Miles
motortorque
PUBLISHED: 27/12/2006



Only two weeks after launching a revolutionary zero emission vehicle in London, Europe’s leading business-to-business express delivery operator is evaluating proposals to deploy the pollution-free lorry in other major cities across the continent.

TNT Express, in partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles, unveiled the world’s largest high performance, zero emission electric vehicle earlier this month, and now the company is conducting a feasibility study to assess the viability of introducing the 7.5 tonne battery driven lorry into other European capitals.

The ‘Newton’ truck, designed and built by Smith Electric Vehicles – is the first ever in its class that can compete with its diesel equivalent – but without the polluting effects of ‘controlled’ (i.e. nitrogen oxide and particulate matter) and CO2 emissions. It is also virtually silent causing negligible noise pollution.

Peter Bakker, TNT NV Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re committed to significantly reducing controlled and CO2 emissions from the TNT fleet, not just in the UK but across mainland Europe. We are looking at the viability of introducing these ground-breaking zero emissions vehicles in other major European cities – a move that will further consolidate our position at the top of the ‘green league’ in the transportation sector.”

Representatives from TNT, vehicle manufacturers Smith Electric Vehicles and leading international environmental and engineering consultants DHV are presently assessing the economic and environmental case for escalating the use of the ‘green’ vehicle. TNT is already considering buying 200 of the Newton trucks for its fleet, subject to a successful pilot scheme currently running in London.

The zero emissions vehicle is exempt from the London congestion charge - approximately £1,750 a year - incurs no road tax and is battery-driven. It costs just £25 a week to recharge the battery as opposed to £110 spent on fuel for a diesel vehicle. Darren Kell, Chief Executive of the AIM-listed Tanfield Group Plc, which owns Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “Our vehicles make both economic and environmental sense for urban use.

“By committing to our electric vehicles, TNT is not only improving the environment but giving itself a commercial edge over every other fleet operator in the world.”

Nigel Barton Director of Operations for TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, added: “Our intention is to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and ensure that we are the cleanest and greenest company in the express delivery market. It’s satisfying to know that the UK is leading the world in environmental innovation and change – we’re the first company to take on a vehicle of this kind and London was the first city to trial it. It also makes economic sense since the vehicle should be cost beneficial or, at the very least, cost neutral compared to a diesel equivalent.”

The Smith Newton vehicle – designed and manufactured in the UK - is powered by four large ‘Zebra’ 278v batteries positioned on the underside of the truck that can propel the vehicle up to the legal limits for trucks in this class e.g. 56 mph. Fully charged, the vehicle has a range of 130 miles. It can be re-charged on board or through domestic mains or a standard three-phase socket in a matter of hours.

As well as being zero emission, the Newton’s body panels are built from an ultra light, state-of-the-art fully recyclable composite material manufactured by Omnia. This substantially reduces body weight and increases the vehicle’s payload capacity.

TNT has well established ‘green’ credentials having recorded an overall rating of 84 out of a possible 100, on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the highest recorded score in the Industrial Transportation category in 2006. TNT in the UK also derives 15% of all its electricity requirements from renewable sources.

The initiative already has the backing from the Government. Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “I welcome TNT’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and this initiative to begin moving away from carbon intensive transport. It is an interesting new development in alternatively fuelled transport for the express delivery and road-haulage industry.

“The road transport sector is a major contributor to the UK’s carbon emissions and I would encourage other manufacturers to look at alternative technologies to fossil fuels in order for the road transport sector to reduce its carbon footprint.”

Smith Electric Vehicles is the world’s largest manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles.

Based in North East England, it is the market leader in new technology electric vans and trucks, manufacturing a full range of commercial battery-powered vehicles, from minibuses and vans through to large goods vehicles.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “Diesel trucks emit several times their own body weight in CO2 each year. Our vehicles offer a cost effective alternative that removes 100% of tailpipe emissions where it matters most – our city centres.”