A BATTERY-powered van that could revolutionise deliveries in city centres was unveiled yesterday.

Smiths Electric Vehicles (SEV), a market leader in its field, has created a zero- emission, light commercial vehicle, which could compete or even out-perform diesel engine vans in urban areas.

SEV - a subsidiary of the AIM-listed Tanfield Group, based in Stanley, County Durham - unveiled its Faraday model yesterday.

The company's short-term aim is to manufacture 1,000 Faraday vehicles a year, rising to 2,500 in the medium term.

"Economies of scale and production methods mean that, eventually, we should be able to offer a vehicle with the same list price as a typical light commercial vehicle," said Kevin Harkin, business development manager at SEV. "With this vehicle, we are moving a step closer to writing off the combustion engine as a dirty, polluting anachronism.

"Faraday will completely change the way goods are delivered in our city centres.

"It is not only an effective solution to the growing problem of urban air pollution, but can compete with the likes of the Transit van on whole life cost."

Faraday has a restricted top speed of 40mph and enough battery power to travel up to 60 miles between charges.

"The average traffic speed in UK cities is only 25 miles per hour, so Faraday's top speed is not an issue," said Mr Harkin.

"In the past, electric vehicles have not had the speed or range to compete with the combustion engine. Thanks to the advances we have made in electric vehicle technology, there is now a viable alternative."

The vehicle is also suited to other environments where pollution is a growing concern, such as airports.