Smith Electric Vehicles, a subsidiary of UK-based Tanfield Group Plc (TAN.L) and a manufacturer of highway-ready electric vans and trucks, announced it would establish an assembly facility in the US at an undislosed location.
The company, which currently produces 5 vehicles a week, says that should double by the end of the year, and triple production to 30 per week by the end of 2008.
Smith expects exports to comprise 40-50% of sales next year, up from about 15%.
Its 7.5-ton Newton truck has a range of 130 miles and a top speed of 50 miles per hour. It costs $120,000.
The group recently launched 3.5 and 9 ton vehicles for the small van market, and will soon introduce a 12-ton vehicle.
Clients include delivery firm TNT (TNT.AS) and British retailer Marks & Spencer Plc (MKS.L). Starbucks (SBUX) and DHL (DOWG.DE) are testing the vehicles.
Tanfield’s California facility makes electric cherry pickers, and the company is raising output there from 25 vehicles a week.