Miles Electric debuts small truck

Miles Electric Vehicles is debuting its ZX40ST truck this week at the FedFleet Exposition in Orlando, Florida. 

A prototype chassis of the open-air truck will be on display, with Miles taking pre-orders in advance of the truck's planned October delivery.

The new low-speed vehicle is powered by a 72-volt battery system, providing 60 to 70 miles per charge and well over 500 pounds of cargo capacity.

Miles already sells two low-speed cars, as well as one low-speed off-road vehicle, for about $15,000 to $17,000 each. The price for the truck was not disclosed.

"It’s a perfect low-speed light-duty work truck for fleets looking to cut costs and emissions," said Miles co-founder David Hirsch.

Miles fleet customers include NASA, the U.S. Navy and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Formed in 2005, the company is owned by textiles exporter S. Shamash & Sons.

Miles Rubin, chairman of Miles Electric, previously served as chief executive officer of Polo/Ralph Lauren Jeans, one of Shamash's customers.

All of Miles' vehicles are manufactured in China, with higher speed vehicles set to hit the U.S. market in 2008.

Miles said its upcoming cars will have speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour, with a range of over 125 miles on a single charge.

Another popular small open-air electric truck is available from competitor ZAP.