Leading heavy-duty electric truck manufacturer moves to new production facility, announces industry milestones

KANSAS CITY, MO, October 28, 2019 – Orange EV, the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to commercially deploy 100% electric Class 8 trucks, today announced its second facility expansion in four years, moving to a site with more than five times the production capacity. Industry-leading fleets are accelerating adoption of Orange EV’s safer, more reliable trucks while eliminating diesel and emissions at a significantly lower total cost of ownership.

After four years of commercial deployment, Orange EV continues to be the only manufacturer of Class 8 electric trucks that have been commercially deployed and reordered. Further milestones and achievements in the heavy-duty electric truck market include:

  • More than 60 distinct fleets have chosen Orange EV pure electric terminal trucks for commercial deployment in 14 states across the U.S.
  • In California alone, Orange EV trucks have been purchased and are in use at more than 40 customer locations.
  • In 2015, Orange EV became the first OEM to commercially deploy all-electric Class 8 trucks.  Orange EV completed its prototype demonstration phase in 2013 and 2014.
  • Since 2015, all Orange EV truck deployments have been for commercial use where fleets have purchased and placed Orange EV trucks into routine operations, performing the same mission-critical work previously accomplished by diesel trucks.
  • In early 2017, Orange EV deployed the first high-speed charging station in the U.S. specifically designed for heavy duty, commercial electric vehicles. Orange EV’s DC Fast Charging Station was deployed as part of a complete Orange EV electric terminal truck solution.
  • Every Orange EV truck is still operating on its original battery pack.

Orange EV’s 4×2 trucks are deployed coast-to-coast, working through hot desert summers and cold northern winters, in all site types for which they were designed including rail intermodal, parcel, LTL freight, grocery, manufacturing/production, construction, seaport, warehouse & distribution, waste management, 3rd party logistics (3PL), and with the spotting services managing cargo handling environments.

“Orange EV trucks have been tested and proven by years of operational truck data, case studies, reorders, and customer testimonials,” said Mike Saxton, Orange EV Chief Commercial Officer. “Thanks to our valued fleet partners Orange EV is again expanding production facilities to accommodate accelerating new fleet deployments and broader continuing rollouts.” 

Orange EV fleets have affirmed savings of up to 90% on fuel, up to 75% on maintenance and repair, and 100% on emission control, while acknowledging additional savings in health, safety, and operations. Fleets with heavy-use trucks report annual hard dollar savings of up to $60,000+ per truck in fuel, maintenance, and emission control alone.

“The savings continue to add up when considering the higher reliability, enhanced safety, and increased efficiency,” said Kurt Neutgens, Orange EV Chief Technology Officer. “With Orange EV’s innovative low voltage systems, direct drive power train, and regenerative braking, our trucks are inherently safer and easier to use. We’ve eliminated the things that frustrate fleets, like problematic emissions control equipment, while adding features they’ve wanted for years.”

Orange EV trucks come standard with onboard telematics, providing system status and operational data not previously available on diesel trucks. Orange EV’s mobile technical support provides onsite warranty, maintenance, and repair service.  

“We couldn’t have gotten here without our industry advocates and partners, including the many leading fleets who were early adopters of the first all-electric Class 8 trucks,” said Wayne Mathisen, Orange EV Chief Executive Officer. “Today’s production trucks are several design generations beyond those first demonstrated in 2013. Orange EV has continued to innovate the T-Series electric truck as the platform of choice for the next generation in yard management solutions.”

About Orange EV

Kansas City based Orange EV is the leading OEM providing industrial fleets with heavy duty electric vehicle solutions that are proven to save money while being safer, more reliable, and preferred by drivers and management alike. Orange EV trucks meet the most rigorous duty cycles and 24×7 shift schedules while eliminating diesel fuel and emissions.  Building both new and re-powered terminal trucks working daily across the country, 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.