INDIANAPOLIS. FedEx Express will receive the first walk-in all-electric vans from Smith Electric Vehicles. The Newton Step Van will be built on the Newton all-electric truck platform. It was introduced this week at the NTEA Work Truck Show here.
Using a body supplied by Utilimaster, the Newton Step Van offers a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 to 26,000 lbs. and a 100-mi. driving range, Smith said. The van uses Smith’s proprietary Smith Drive, Smith Power, and Smith Link technologies to provide superior power train performance, battery management efficiency and remote system monitoring, it said.
“The leadership shown by FedEx in adopting all-electric vehicles has been instrumental to growing the industry,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO & chairman of Smith. “We welcome FedEx and look forward to successful vehicle deployments that demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of fleet electrification.”
FedEx will deploy the vans throughout the remainder of this year.
“This opportunity helps support our goal to optimize and operate our vehicle fleet in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner,” said Dennis Beal, vice president of Global Vehicles at FedEx Express. “Smith’s global footprint and track record of successful EV deployments make it an ideal collaborator as FedEx continues to improve its fleet efficiency, reducing emissions while providing the best possible service to our customers around the world.”
