Further Research and Development
Smith Electric Vehicles is developing new drive line enhancements and ancillary systems for commercial electric vehicles, including heating and air conditioning. The company estimates the new technology could increase electric vehicle range by up to 20%. Smith’s parent company, Tanfield, is part of c consortium based in North East England that has secured £1.4m in matched funding towards the project, from the UK Government’s Ultra Efficient Systems programme.
In February 2010, Smith announced it was working with Proton Power Systems Plc of Germany, to incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell into its Smith Edison vehicle. The small fuel cell will act as a mini-generator, topping up the traction batteries and increasing vehicle range by up to 100%.
Read more about this topic: Smith Electric Vehicles
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