Antonov plc has signed a contract with Smith Electric Vehicles Europe Ltd, the UK's leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles, to develop a multi-speed, energy-efficient powertrain solution for commercial fleet applications.

The powertrain will be installed in a Technology Strategy Board-funded project called "E-Van" in which Smith Electric Vehicles is the lead partner. Antonov is contracted to supply the workhorse vehicle transmission (value £100K) for up to five vehicles during the E-Van project, which runs until 2012. The goal of the £1.4m project is to deliver an electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) with substantially improved autonomy, through the integration of a more efficient drive train.


Commenting, Antonov's Chairman and CEO, Dr. Jos E. Haag said: "We are excited to be working on such a leading edge project with Smith Electric Vehicles, which is the market leader in commercial electric vehicles."


Smith Electric Vehicles Europe comments: "Our involvement in the E-Van project underlines Antonov's growing reputation and position as a technology leader in its field. Furthermore, the project outcome - delivery of a proven electric LCV with enhanced performance - will present new, volume opportunities for our product."