The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD driving one of the first Smith Electric Ford Transit based vans at the official launch of the range in Tullamore recently.

An Taoiseach Mr Brian Cowen TD was on hand to drive a new Smith electric powered Ford Transit van when he officially opened new premises of Avia Trucks Ireland in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The company is owned by Clara couple David and Anna Marie Mullen who have operated the franchise for Avia Commercial Vehicles in Ireland for the last number of years.

They have now launched a new business, Electric Vehicles Ireland, and have acquired the Irish franchise for Smith Electric Vehicles. Smith Electric Vehicles, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK, are the world’s largest manufacturer of road going electric commercial vehicles and a global leader in zero emission technology and have been producing zero emission vehicles since 1920.

David Mullen, Managing Director of both Avia Trucks Ireland and Electric Vehicles Ireland aims to dispel a myth that electric vehicles are expensive. At the moment and allowing for a modest 10% increase in oil and electricity prices, based on 20,000 miles per annum, he said that one will start saving money after year 4. If fuel rises by 25% each year, savings will occur after 3 years. He claimed that annual savings thereafter could be € 14,000 and rising.”

Comments (2) »

The future
written by Pete, July 14, 2008

I fully expect electric vehicles to become the norm in my lifetime. Hybrids are great because they are driving the development of battery technology, but eventually the batteries will get so good that people will feel comfortable to live without a petrol engine in their car.

Of course, the tax situation will get interesting. Currently, road fuel is taxed much more than domestic fuel, but theres no way that the government can tell where the electricity used to charge up a vehicles battery came from.

What excellent news!
written by John Latusek, July 11, 2008

Clicking on the Case Studies page at the Smith website http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com appears to show that some serious hard-headed fleet managers have taken a liking to these vehicles already.

I look forward to the day I can tour Ireland in a battery-powered motorhome, recharging overnight at campsite hook-ups. Any chance of this company producing one?

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