Companies Put Electric Trucks on Urban Delivery Routes

High fuel prices caused a Missouri company, Smith Electric Vehicles, to think about rolling out electric trucks for local deliveries. (Photo Sen. Kit Bond)

Chris Woodyard at USA Today reports:

“The first truck to run solely on electricity was released by Smith in Washington last month. Smith also announced partnerships with six companies, including Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Staples and AT&T, which plan to make the new trucks part of their shipping and carrying fleets as early as this year. They are interested in a truck that can run a long ways around town: The electric truck has a lithium-ion battery that recharges in a 220 volt outlet in six to eight hours. The battery is good for 100 miles per charge and has a lifetime of about seven to 10 years. The truck drives like a big golf cart — no gears or shifting — but is extremely quiet due to the electric engine. It can reach speeds of up to 50 mph.”  See full article >>