Walsall Co-op Smiths Milk Float 358 EDH

2-tonners were generally the largest post-war battery electric road vehicles and required twin rear wheels to handle the heavier loads. Not many dairies could justify more than a few, if any at all, as delivery rounds were not big enough. To be truly effective, these big trucks needed a crew of two serving high density housing. Two notable purchasers in the Midlands were the co-operative societies in Walsall and Nottingham which bought over 50 and over 100 respectively from Smiths Electric Vehicles in the 1950s and 1960s. One from each operator is seen here, just look at the vast rear decks.

Bus bodybuilder Northern Coachbuilders (NCB) diversified into battery-electric vehicles in 1945. The new range was successful and a separate company, Smiths Electric Vehicles, was formed in 1949. Its 2-ton model was introduced in 1952 and built for around 20 years.

Walsall Co-op 358 EDH is the only known survivor carrying a genuine Smiths built cab with traditional hardwood frames clad with aluminium panels.

Preservation

358 EDH worked for just over 30 years and arrived at Wythall in 1989. Another Smiths 2-ton was bought for spares, notably for the rear axle as the one on 358 EDH was defective. We also stripped from the spare truck a large number of parts which were refurbished for the restoration, completed in 1999.