Replacing 100 diesel powered commercial vehicles with these battery powered vans and trucks will save an estimated 760,000kg in carbon dioxide exhaust emissions each year.

“There are tens of thousands of vans and trucks in Ireland that spend their entire working lives in congested urban areas. This stop-start environment is when the diesel engine is at its least efficient and most polluting, making a compelling argument for replacing these vehicles with our zero emission products.”

Smith Electric Vehicles, based in North East England, manufactures a range of new technology electric vans and trucks. These commercial electric vehicles are capable of speeds of up to 80km/hr (50mph) and a range on one battery charge of up to 240km (150 miles). They are designed for intra-city applications, such as retail and distribution, post and parcel delivery, logistics and utilities work.

The Irish order, destined for private and public sector fleet operators, will be sold and supported through a new independent distributor, Smith Electric Vehicles Ireland. The distributor has already taken delivery of the first vehicles and the rest will be supplied in a staged build programme during 2008.

The Irish distributor is a partnership between green vehicle retailer Ray Keeley and commercial vehicle importer David Mullen.