Jul. 29--Talk about getting a plug in for your product.

Smith Electric, the maker of battery-powered trucks that's opening a plant in Kansas City, signaled its entry into the U.S. market by delivering Smith Newton trucks Tuesday on Capitol Hill to some big-name customers: Kansas City Power & Light, Pacific Gas and Electric, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Frito-Lay, AT&T and Staples.

Missouri's senior senator, Kit Bond, was on hand for the ceremony, along with Carol Browner, the former Environmental Protection Agency chief who's now assistant to the president for energy and climate change, and Smith Electric chief executive Bryan Hansel.

"The next-generation electric vehicles Smith is producing demonstrate exactly the kind of technology we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end our dependence on foreign oil," Bond said. "Missouri is a growing leader in exciting new battery technology, making it an ideal partner for all-electric vehicle manufacturing."

Smith Electric Vehicles U.S., incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Kansas City, is licensing the no-emissions electric-vehicle technology from Smith Electric Vehicles in the United Kingdom. Smith Electric, founded in 1920, has been making electric vehicles for decades in Europe -- initially so early morning milk deliveries would be quiet and not disturb customers' sleep.

Smith Electric was bought in 2004 by the Tanfield Group, also based in the United Kingdom, which has been expanding Smith Electric into a global brand.

The trucks can go 50 miles an hour and have a range of at least 100 miles on a single battery charge, making them ideal for delivery routes and overnight recharging. The Newton's initial cost can be up to $150,000 -- two to three times a comparable gasoline or diesel delivery truck -- but their operating costs per mile can be 80 percent lower, making a heavily driven vehicle cheaper in the long run.

The Kansas City assembly plant will gear up soon in a formerly vacant building at Kansas City International Airport. The company expects to hire 120 people during the first phase of operations. Smith Electric plans to ultimately use batteries manufactured at a plant that Kokam Electric wants to build in Lee's Summit.

Reach Greg Hack at ghack@kcstar.com or 816-234-4439.

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