Tanfield named preferred supplier in UK govt EV van project

British commercial electric vehicles maker Tanfield Group Plc said it has been named as preferred supplier in the UK government's electric van programme, administered by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The first phase of the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme will have four suppliers deliver up to 150 electric vans to 12 public sector bodies, Tanfield said on Wednesday.

The company said it would supply the Smith Edison, a vehicle already in production at its Washington facility, which is based on the "popular Ford Transit panel van".
"If the first phase of the programme is successful, the DfT will look to expand the trials into the wider public sector," said the company, whose Smith Electric Vehicles unit has a collaboration with Ford Motor Co.

Earlier in the day, Tanfield said it would be eligible to receive government funding of 1.6 million pounds ($2.6 million) to develop electric passenger vehicles.

The company said it was part of a consortium that successfully bid for the development and trial of 16 vehicles under the Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Programme, adding that the total project was worth 3.2 million pounds.

Tanfield said building on its relationship with Ford, it will develop five people carriers and a executive minibus.

Tanfield also said it would deliver 10 electric taxis, through its collaboration with Manganese Bronze Holdings Plc.

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