While Congress wrestles with plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, six American companies aren’t waiting around for a political solution. They just took delivery of a new, all-electric truck dubbed the Smith Newton.

The big advantage of the Smith Newton, made by Britain’s Smith Electric Vehicles, is the potential to eliminate GHG and other air pollution problems associated with gasoline- and diesel-powered trucks. There are also powerful fuel-cost savings as most recharging for the Smith Newton can be done overnight when electricity rates are cheapest.

The Smith Newton has a top speed of 50 mph, and a range of 100 miles on a single charge of its lithium ion batteries. It will take six to eight hours to recharge, which makes them suitable for corporate fleet vehicles that return to a central location each night. A Smith Electric brochure on some of the benefits of an EV truck is here.

Disadvantage: Cost. These first vehicles will cost nearly three times a standard diesel truck, well over $150,000.

However, these costs are expected to moderate once Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. completes its assembly plant in Kansas City, MO. Once the factory is up and running next year, it will provide 120 green jobs. Smith Electric also says it will help coordinate federal and state incentive programs to help offset the higher cost of going electric.

Companies taking delivery of at least one Smith Electric truck include:

• Coca-Cola Enterprises
• Frito-Lay
• AT&T
• Staples
• Pacific Gas & Electric, and
• Kansas City Power & Light.

Coca-Cola already plans to add a couple more.

More details on Smith Electric Vehicles are here.

Tags: AT&T, Coca-Cola, electric vehicles, Frito-Lay, GHG, green jobs, Kansas City Power & Light, PG&E, Smith Electric Vehicles, Staples