 By the end of June 2008, the Tanfield Group (Smith’s parent company) reported the cancellation and postponement of customer orders.In November, Smith Electric was shortlisted for the Department for Transport's Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (a subsidy scheme which allowed public-sector organizations to buy electric and low-carbon vans for the same price as an equivalent diesel vehicle).Electric vehicle sales for 2008 were £25.1 million, down from £26.1 million in 2007.