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28 July 2009

The Tanfield Group Plc ("Tanfield")

FIRST TANFIELD ELECTRIC TRUCKS DELIVERED TO MAJOR US CORPORATIONS

Smith Newton electric trucks will be delivered later today to six customers, including four Fortune 500 Companies:

• Pacific Gas and Electric Company

• Coca-Cola

• Staples

• Frito-Lay

• AT&T

• Kansas City Power & Light 

Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation will today deliver electric trucks to six customers in North America, including four Fortune 500 companies, at a launch event in Washington DC.

Coca-Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) will become the first customers to take delivery of the Smith Newton truck. In total they have committed to an initial 30 seed vehicles.

Newton was launched in the UK by Smith Electric Vehicles, a trading division of The Tanfield Group Plc, in 2006. Newton is produced in North America by Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp, based in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc, said: "The electric vehicle technology delivered to these customers today can readily be delivered to fleets in every major town and city in North America.

"The Smith Newton provides depot-based truck fleets with a realistic, zero emissions transport solution that both lowers greenhouse gas emissions and helps improve air quality in our urban centres."

Missouri Senator Kit Bond, who is hosting today's launch event, said: "These 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.

"Missouri is a growing leader in exciting new battery technology, making it an ideal partner for all-electric vehicle manufacturing."

For further information:

The Tanfield Group Plc       +44 (0)845 1557 755
Darren Kell, CEO 
Charles Brooks, FD 

Arbuthnot Securities           +44(0)20 7012 2000
Nomad and Broker 
James Steel 

ENDS