Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , USA Click on the Smith Newton for a hi-res gallery After scuttling an earlier plan to build trucks in the U.S. , a new Tanfield Group announcement reverses that reversal. The company has just incorporated Smith Electric Vehicles (SEV) US Corp. and expects them to begin building copies of the Newton (above) in the U.S. sometime this year. In a shrewd move, Tanfield will hold 49 per cent of the company, thereby allowing the new U.S. majority-owned entity to qualify for government funding and other benefits. Before it can begin building vehicles for the American customers that it is already in discussions with, it will have to have a plant. SEV US has received “firm expressions” from two States already and a site is expected to be announced soon. The Smith Newton is based on the Avia truck chassis and is the equivalent of U.S. Class 5 and 6 medium duty trucks. Though not stated, we expect that the trucks will be powered by lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries from Valence Technologies of Austin, Texas. Official announcement to investors after the break. Gallery: EVS23: Smith Electric Truck [Source: Tanfield Group PLC via Green Car Advisor ] Continue reading Tanfield American spinoff to begin building trucks this year Tanfield American spinoff to begin building trucks this year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Tanfield American spinoff to begin building trucks this year