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TNT ohms in on two electric truck y s for city distribution
Page 8
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As part of its carbon-neutral policy, TNT is running a brace of electric
7.5-tonners — CM bright spark Colin Barnett has been for a ride.
TWO TNT DIVISIONS have started trials of electric-powered 7.5-tonners in central London.
The Smith Newton trucks are based on Avia (formerly Daewoo) 975s, supplied from the Czech Republic without engines or gearboxes and fitted with electric motors, four Zebra 278V battery packs and regenerative braking systerns by Smith Electric Vehicles.
Both have Cartwright box bodies made from Omnia Busy-Body panels (a plastic honeycomb material said to weigh around 65% of GRP of the equivalent strength).
Although the two prototypes are still on the heavy side, the makers are confident that their weight can be reduced to match a current diesel-powered 7.5-tonner. TNT Express will run one of the electric trucks out ol Barking: the other will be operated by TNT Logistics at Basildon on its 30-mile/70-stop Starbucks contract. Both jobs are well within the 100-mile. plus range of the batteries.
During the launch at London's Guildhall, TNT underlined its commitment to operate in a carbon-neutral manner: not least to offset the effect of the two Boeing 747s it runs between Europe and China.
Although the capital cost of the Smith Newtons is roughly double that of diesels, their running costs are claimed to be 2p/mile, around 10% that of diesel. Service life is expected to rise from five to eight years. Incidental benefits include exemption from the London Congestion Charge.
A brief ride in the City of London revealed sprightly acceleration from the 120kW (161hp) AC motor probably better than a diesel -and there was so little noise that the loudest sound in the cab was the front springs creaking.
This is not totally beneficial in city centres; judicious use of the horn was needed to alert pedestrians.
The controls could hardly be simpler, with a forward/ reverse joystick and a knob to disengage regenerative braking.Press the pedal and go.to a theoretical top speed of 60mph.The launch trucks are limited to 50mph and will be restricted to 40mph in service.
Subject to the trials proceeding satisfactorily, each TNT division expects to be operating 200 electric trucks within two years.
Smith already has a 4.5-tonne model, the Faraday, and is working on the 3.5-tonne Edison.