Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. announced it will add a manufacturing plant to produce its all-electric medium-duty Newton in New York State, creating 100 jobs.
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The Newton has a range of up to 150 mi. and averaging operating costs that are less than one-half of a conventional diesel truck, Smith said, with comparable gross vehicle weights.
Production will begin in 2012, the company said. A combination of city and state incentives of approximately $6 million will support an investment from Smith in the facility. Smith also has manufacturing, sales and service at its Kansas City, MO, headquarters.
“This expansion reflects an important step in executing Smith’s localized assembly, sales and service strategy,” commented Bryan Hansel, CEO & chairman of Smith. “Our approach creates jobs, provides Smith customers with more localized support and significantly reduces the costs associated with shipping completed vehicles to our customers. We applaud the governor’s leadership and that of the numerous state and local officials who have come together to support a program that encourages fleets to accelerate their conversion from diesel to electric.”
Smith will lease a 90,000 sq. ft. building near Hunts Point in the South Bronx and make investments in renovations, equipment, training and other project costs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
“Creating over 100 new jobs in the South Bronx is a victory for the local community and a clear sign that New York is rapidly attracting innovative opportunities to grow our economy,” Cuomo said.
The total incentive package offered to Smith is at more than $6 million and includes $3.4 million in Excelsior tax credits from Empire State Development (ESD); more than $1.5 million in New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) energy efficiency and product development assistance; potential electric rate subsidies from the New York Power Authority’s Recharge New York program and Department of Labor workforce training assistance; and approximately $1.7 million in tax exemptions approved and provided by the New York City Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA), and administered through the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).
