Schenectady, NY area manufacturer advances customer sustainability goals while improving employee health and safety

The Dimension Fabricators Class 8 pure-electric yard truck manufactured by Orange EV.

The Dimension Fabricators Class 8 pure-electric yard truck manufactured by Orange EV.

KANSAS CITY, MO and SCHENECTADY, NY, March 21, 2018 – Orange EV and Dimension Fabricators, Inc. today announced the deployment of a custom Orange EV T-Series pure-electric terminal truck to Dimension’s manufacturing facility in the Schenectady, NY area. The Orange EV electric yard truck joins Dimension’s fleet of specialty tractors and trailers, all designed for 100-foot loads of concrete-reinforcing steel products. Powered by solar energy generated onsite, the new 100% electric truck further reduces Dimension’s carbon footprint, increases energy efficiency, decreases operational costs, and helps customers achieve supply-chain sustainability goals. The emission-free Orange EV truck can be used indoors, and the clean, quiet, vibration-free operation improves employee health and safety.

Scott Stevens, Dimension’s President, commented, “In order to deliver the highest quality product, we continually adopt new technologies and develop innovative processes to meet customer needs in the most efficient and sustainable ways.” Dimension unveiled its 942-kW solar array in August 2017 and five months later deployed its first pure-electric terminal truck, now effectively free to fuel with energy generated by Dimension’s rooftop solar panels. Scott continued, “We believe investments in clean technology are not only the right thing to do for the environment, but also give us, and by extension our customers, a competitive advantage.”

The electric truck was purchased using funds through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program which supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s aggressive clean energy goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) administers the program.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Dimension Fabricators continues to show leadership by demonstrating how manufacturing companies can incorporate clean energy technologies into their businesses to reduce operating costs and create a healthier environment for employees. Its sustainability goals are a prime example of how local businesses are supporting Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading clean energy goals and our fight against climate change.”

As a result of the Truck Voucher Incentive Program, Dimension deployed the Orange EV truck for about the price of a diesel. By eliminating diesel fuel, exhaust fluid, and other diesel-related expenses, they expect significantly reduced lifetime operating costs. Dimension anticipates fuel and preventative maintenance savings of at least $10,000-$15,000 annually on 2,000-2,500 hours of truck operation.

“Going electric means we’re also free from headaches that come with diesel emission control technology,” shared Scott. “For emissions control systems to work, diesel exhaust has to get and stay hot, which doesn’t happen with low-speed, start-stop usage like ours. As a result, systems clog up and trucks don’t work properly.”

In contrast, Orange EV electric trucks don’t need emission controls and are simpler and more energy efficient than their diesel counterparts. “To meet emissions standards, diesels have become increasingly complex, problematic, and costly,” said Mike Saxton, Orange EV’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Orange EV’s powertrain has far fewer parts than diesels and is largely maintenance-free. This means less wear and tear, reducing maintenance, repair, and downtime. And the powertrain is just one of many improvements fleets prefer over diesel.”

Since Dimension’s trucks must operate inside the plant alongside active manufacturing processes, vibration, noise, and exhaust from diesels are a nuisance and potential safety hazard. “Our drivers routinely back 60-foot trailers into the plant, and the diesel trucks vibrate and rattle, shaking mirrors wildly and moving them out of alignment. It’s aggravating and unsafe,” shared Greg Stevens, Dimension’s Operations Manager. “The Orange EV truck is a drastic improvement – it’s smooth and quiet, we no longer have to shout to communicate, and no fumes exhaust into the building.”

Driver satisfaction is increasingly important in an industry facing driver shortages. Dimension has very low turnover and strives to further increase retention, in part by enhancing driver comfort. “Happy and safe operators stick with you for the long term, and the guys just love the new Orange EV truck,” said Greg. “They can’t stop raving about it, especially the interior creature comforts given recent weather. It’s been extremely cold with highs in the single digits. The way the operators are in and out of the truck making short moves, they really appreciate heat that actually works.”

Orange EV directly discounted the price of Dimension’s truck using the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. Funds are still available but fleets are encouraged to act by end of March; under the current program, trucks must be delivered and funds redeemed by June 30, 2018.

About Dimension Fabricators

Serving the construction industry since 1984, Dimension Fabricators, Inc., produces and supplies concrete-reinforcing steel products including rebar, assembled cages, epoxy coated steel, wire mesh, welded steel fabrications, threaded anchors, and more. Dimension provides quality, customized service supplying assembly drawings prepared in-house, pre-assembled materials, and product delivered via its own fleet of specialty tractors and trailers. Continuously developing and adopting new technologies, Dimension has earned a reputation as the fabricator for difficult and challenging civil and structural reinforcing work, and has supported some of the most complex engineering projects on the eastern seaboard. With a 942-kW rooftop solar array, Dimension’s manufacturing process is now powered by renewable energy. Learn more at DimensionFab.com.

About Orange EV

Kansas City based Orange EV is the leading OEM providing industrial fleets with heavy duty electric vehicle solutions that do the same work while eliminating diesel fuel and emissions. Building both new and re-powered terminal trucks (aka yard trucks, hostlers, spotters), Orange EV was the first and is still the only manufacturer offering 100% electric Class 8 vehicles that have been commercially deployed and re-ordered into container handling operations.