Estupendo artículo del país que nos muestra nuestras
preferencias a la hora de comprar un coche. http://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/coches-electricos/ecologicos/convencen/elpepueco/20070724elpepueco_1/Tes
Es muy bueno, además después de leerlo, pues surgen preguntas interesantes.
Igualmente el mercado crecerá a medida que crezcan los modelos, y que las
características de los productos se amplíen. Va a ser un hecho.
De hecho, Smith fabricará en Fresno, California, EEUU, 10.000 unidades al año.
Tiene sentido su movimiento al repasar sus datos:
Hay millones de vehículos
comerciales en EEUU que trabajan en áreas urbanas y en rutas bien determinadas.
Todos estos podrían ser reemplazados por una nueva flota de vehículos no
contaminantes como los Smith. Ejemplos: Servicio Postal y paquetería en
general, distribución de elementos
pesados y maquinaría, etc…
Incluso, los conductores de las empresas están felices con la
inclusión de estos vehículos, silenciosos, simples, sin marchas, y potentes.
Vamos a estar atentos a las noticias que nos manden. Saludos.
PRESS RELEASE
THE WORLDS LARGEST ELECTRIC TRUCK COMES TO
AMERICA
THE worlds leading manufacturer of
commercial electric vehicles is launching its unique zero emission truck in the
North American market.
The robust Smith Newton is the world’s
largest high performance electric truck, weighing in with a Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) of over 24,000lbs. A rack of suitcase-sized, 278 volt batteries and
a 120 kilowatt motor quickly propel the vehicle up to its top speed of 50mph.
In fact, Newton
can accelerate from 0-30mph faster than the equivalent diesel-powered truck.
Fully charged, the vehicle has a range of
up to 150 miles, while the regenerative braking system returns power to the
batteries every time the vehicle slows or stops.
Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: Automotive manufacturers
are telling us that the technology for mass-produced electric cars is some
years away.
But the larger sized commercial vehicle
and the truck in particular is perfectly suited to electric technology that
is available today.
There are millions of commercial vehicles in North
America that work in urban areas, within defined low mileage zones
or routes. All of these machines, from light postal vehicles to heavier duty distribution
trucks, can be replaced with our new technology electric vehicles.
And these congested, densely populated
urban areas are exactly where vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions can make
the biggest improvement to air quality.
Newton is the first vehicle in its class that can compete with the diesel
equivalent but without the polluting effects of tailpipe emissions such as nitrogen
oxide; particulate matter and CO2. The vehicle has a payload capacity of up to
15,800lbs and is available in US
truck Classes 5 through 7.
Launched in early 2007 in Europe,
the Smith Newton is already in fleets for household names such as Starbucks,
DHL and TK Maxx, along with British institutions like the Royal Mail and
retailer Marks & Spencer.
It is designed for urban, intra-city
operations, including home shopping delivery; 3PL logistics; post and parcel
distribution; and municipal duties.
An added benefit for fleet operators is
that drivers love this vehicle, said Kevin Harkin.
We take all the stress out of city truck driving no gear changes, no noise,
no cab rattle and no diesel smell.
Along with addressing the problem of
vehicle emissions in cities, the Newton
also proves highly cost effective when it comes to maintenance.
Newtons
electric motor has just four moving parts, compared to over one thousand in a
modern diesel driveline, said Kevin Harkin.
The major components are solid state and will still be in operation years
after the rest of the vehicle has outlived its usefulness.
Smith Electric Vehicles has a facility in Fresno, CA which will
open next year to manufacture US-specific vehicles for North
America. This will be followed by a larger factory capable of
10,000 vehicles a year, expected to open in 2010.
ENDS