“The selection of Argonne to serve as the base camp for advanced battery technology research is further confirmation that Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his administration are making great strides in positioning Chicago as the global hub for the growth of the electric vehicle industry, and we are proud to be part of it.”

 
On Nov. 28, Smith announced it would locate its next production facility – the company’s third U.S. facility – in Chicago. The company is currently evaluating potential sites, and expects to begin production at the new facility in 2013.

 
Mayor Emanuel on Nov. 27 also announced a comprehensive new incentive program to encourage private and public fleets to convert vehicles to electric power. The voucher program will utilize $15 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program funds in its first year. The size of the voucher will be determined by the size of the vehicle battery, encouraging fleet operators to replace their dirtiest diesel trucks with all-electric vehicles first. Mayor Emanuel’s effort to encourage electric-vehicle adoption in public and private fleets also includes non-cash incentives such as preferential loading zones and decreased registration costs.

About Smith Electric Vehicles

 
Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (www.smithelectric.com) is a leader in all-electric commercial vehicles. Smith produces zero-emission vehicles that are designed to be a superior-performing alternative to traditional diesel trucks, providing higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Smith Newton™ and Edison™ models are deployed around the world in a variety of applications, including parcel, food, beverage and equipment delivery and personnel transport including school and shuttle buses. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, Mo., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.

 
SOURCE Smith Electric Vehicles Corp.

Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Will Bring Hundreds of Jobs in the City; City Will Offer Comprehensive Incentive Program to Support Vehicle Adoption; Major Step Forward as Chicago’s Electric Vehicle and Battery Sector Grows

CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2012 – Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Smith Electric Vehicles announced today that Smith will open an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Chicago, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and boosting the already rapidly growing battery and electric vehicle sector in the City. Smith’s decision to locate a facility in Chicago is influenced by the Mayor’s innovative voucher system created to accelerate the conversion from diesel to zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles, the large number of fleets interested in vehicle electrification, and the development incentives made available to Smith.

 
“I’m proud to welcome another growing company with a great mission to Chicago. Soon hundreds of Chicagoans will be able to put their skills to use providing businesses worldwide with high-quality, zero-emission, American-made vehicles,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Smith Electric Vehicles is an innovative company in a forward-looking, essential industry that is a central part of Chicago’s economic future.”

 
Smith is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of all-electric commercial vehicles, which are zero-emission and less expensive to own and operate when compared with traditional diesel trucks. The company produces trucks for multiple industries, including food & beverage, utility, telecommunications, retail, grocery, parcel and postal delivery, school transportation, military and government. Smith’s customers include many of the world’s largest fleet operators, including PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, FedEx, Staples, TNT, Sainsbury’s, Coca-Cola, DHL, and the U.S. Military.

 
Chicago will be Smith’s third location in the United States, joining their headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., and a manufacturing facility in New York City.

 
Additionally, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), under the Mayor’s leadership, has announced a comprehensive, $15 million incentive program that will encourage companies and individuals to modernize their fleets and convert to electric vehicles. The first of its kind in the US, this plan rewards fleets on an increasing scale for replacing their most diesel-consuming vehicles. The program’s initial $15M is funded by resources from the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program and will provide vouchers to assist companies in reducing the costs of converting their vehicles to electric. The City is also considering additional incentives such as preferential loading zones and decreased registration costs to complement the voucher program. Fleets can stack the State of Illinois’ Alternative Fuel Vehicle and EV Charging Station Rebates on top of the City’s incentive. Through similar federally funded incentive programs, the City has helped deploy 404 cleaner vehicles, including 159 compressed natural gas (CNG) livery/taxi vehicles and 223 alternative fuel stations, including 17 CNG and 202 electric vehicle charging stations – the densest network of any major city. These vehicles and stations have displaced 200,000 barrels of oil and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2,850 tons.

 
“A mass urban deployment of commercial electric vehicles is an important next step in catalyzing mainstream adoption,” said Smith CEO Bryan Hansel. “Chicago’s location, commitment to adoption in municipal fleets, concentration of commercial vehicles, talented workforce and importance to the global business community make it a perfect choice to grow our company and this industry. The leadership being shown with the mayor’s CDOT voucher program is a prime example of how Chicago is creating the template for a new energy city.”

 
In addition to the announcement of the manufacturing facility, Smith provided an update today on two of its global fleet customers. FedEx Express has initiated the deployment of 100 Smith vehicles in the U.S., adding to the electric vehicles already in service throughout the company’s global fleet.

 
“FedEx continually works toward goals to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of its global vehicle fleet in big and small ways,” said Dennis Beal, Vice President of Global Vehicles at FedEx Express. “Electric vehicles are often conducive to operate on routes in urban environments like Chicago, where FedEx introduced the first purpose-built all-electric parcel delivery trucks in the United States in 2010.”

 
Coca-Cola’s pilot deployment of Smith Electric Vehicles has been successful. The Company plans to deploy additional electric vehicles in 2013.

 
“These electric vehicles meet our delivery needs while significantly reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions,” commented Steven Saltzgiver, director of fleet operations, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “Mayor Emanuel’s incentive program is evidence of his commitment to building a more sustainable Chicago. We are proud to support this effort by deploying electric vehicles in Chicago as part of Coca-Cola’s expanding alternative fuel vehicle fleet.”

 
Smith Electric Vehicles is currently considering locations for its manufacturing facility in conjunction with City officials. The company expects to begin hiring efforts immediately and announce this new location when the incentive and development packages tied to the site are complete.

City of Chicago / Smith Chicago Press Release .pdf

KANSAS CITY, MO., June 28, 2012 — (Business Wire) – Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (Smith), a leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, today announced the appointment of John F. Smith to its board of directors. The company also announced Robin Mackie’s appointment to President.

Mr. Smith brings more than five decades of experience in the auto and energy technology industries, including a 42-year career with General Motors. He led the successful turnarounds of Allison Transmission and Cadillac Motor Car, and served for 10 years as Group Vice President with responsibilities for sales and marketing, and product and business development.

“We welcome John to our board,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO and Chairman of Smith. “His broad experience in corporate strategy, global product planning and executive leadership will offer valuable guidance to Smith as we continue to expand our business globally.”

Mr. Mackie is a founder and director of Smith U.S. and has served as Smith’s chief technology officer and a member of the board of directors since January, 2009. He will continue in his role as CTO while assuming new responsibilities as president.

“Robin has made significant contributions to Smith, most notably his leadership in launching our second generation Newton (Series 2000) within 24 months from the date of the first generation product, and in defining and executing our cost-down strategy,” said Hansel. “His skills in technology and product development, as well as operations and process engineering, will serve Smith well as we expand our footprint globally.”

About Smith Electric Vehicles

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (www.smithelectric.com) is a leader in all-electric commercial vehicles. Smith produces zero-emission vehicles that are designed to be a superior-performing alternative to traditional diesel trucks, providing higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Smith Newton™ and Edison™ models are deployed around the world in a variety of applications, including parcel, food, beverage and equipment delivery and personnel transport including school and shuttle buses. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, MO., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.

Media Contact:
Sean McCabe
703-969-7975
mccabe@pinkstongroup.com