Kansas City, Mo.-based Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corp. (SEV U.S.) has reportedly teamed up with Altec Industries, Birmingham, Ala., to launch an all-electric truck-mounted aerial lift. The machine was first unveiled today at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in Williamsburg, Va.
The battery-power, all-electric Smith Newton truck with an aerial lift manufactured by Altec is fuel emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and stores energy when stopped through a process called regenerative braking. It then reuses the energy for acceleration. The Smith Newton has a top speed of up to 50 mph, a 100-mile range on one battery charge, and a payload of up to 16,280 pounds. The Altec AT37-G boom is a telescopic articulating device used for electric utility line maintenance and installation. The aerial has a maximum height of 37.8 feet and reach of 28.3 feet.
Utility company Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will play a critical role in the vehicle’s development. The first test unit will be added to PG&E’s fleet to conduct routine and emergency overhead line work in PG&E’s northern and central California service area. PG&E will provide test data to Smith Electric Vehicles and Altec for the creation of a production model.
“Having this truck in service in PG&E’s fleet is part of much larger developmental program to evaluate all-electric fleet vehicle applications for the utility industry,” Bryan Hansel, CEO of SEV U.S. “Utilities have a huge role to play in helping lead the electrification of vehicles in the United States.”
SEV U.S., which is owned by Snorkel’s parent Tanfield Group, is initially focusing its production on battery-electric-powered vehicles for depot-based predictable-route delivery and service fleets. The trucks will be assembled at the company’s 80,000-square-foot plant in Kansas City. SEV U.S. already has received a strong interest from fleet operators and as a result, the company is building a highly scalable assembly operation and supply chain to serve this emerging market. SEV U.S. will begin production using chassis from multiple vehicle manufacturers.
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