Apple and Ford Motor Company executive will help Motiv scale commercialization of its electric trucks and buses.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (October 16, 2024) — Motiv Electric Trucks, a leading manufacturer of medium duty electric trucks and buses today announced the appointment of Desi Ujkashevic to the company’s Board of Directors. Ujkashevic is currently a Senior Director at Apple who previously spent 31 years at Ford Motor Company in advanced technology development and global automotive operations.

“Desi has spent her career applying her deep engineering background to scale innovative automotive technologies profitably, safely and efficiently,” said Matt O’Leary, Executive Chairman of the Board of Motiv Electric Trucks. “Her experience and expertise will be critical to Motiv as we evolve into a full OEM of the most technologically-advanced, reliable and sustainable electric trucks and buses for the largest fleets in North America.”

Ujkashevic joined Apple as a Senior Director in 2022, where she works at the forefront of enabling pioneering technologies and products. Previously, Ujkashevic spent 31 years at Ford Motor Company where she held multiple executive engineering, design and innovation leadership roles.

“It’s clear to me that medium duty trucks and buses represent the quickest path to electrification in the automotive industry,” said Ujkashevic. “But truly scaling an automotive business requires not just a deep understanding of manufacturing, engineering and design, but also an ability to fill gaps in what customers want and the market can provide. I’ve spent my career doing this work and am thrilled to apply it to help Motiv advance sustainability across this critical industry.”

A notable leader in the industry, Ujkashevic has served on the Board of Directors for both ITS America (as part of the Executive Committee) and the Transportation Improvement Association, influencing transportation technology advancements. She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance, all from the University of Michigan. Automotive News has twice named her as one of the “Top 100 Leading Women in the Auto Industry.”

“I first got to know Desi at Ford when we were both working on connectivity and autonomy,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv Electric Trucks. “Her deep understanding of the global automotive systems combined with her tech experience will be a huge asset to Motiv as we continue to modernize and decarbonize the traditional trucking industry.”

Motiv has developed, manufactured and deployed electric step vans, box trucks and shuttles to businesses for the last 15 years, putting more than 350 vehicles on the road that have collectively driven more than 4 million miles and delivered more than 250 million pounds of goods. In 2023, the company’s electric trucks collectively achieved a remarkable 98 percent uptime, according to company diagnostic data.

Today, 10 of the largest 20 medium duty truck fleets in North America have deployed Motiv vehicles, including Purolator, Vestis (formerly Aramark Uniform Services), Cintas, Bimbo Bakeries and other leading brands. Further, Motiv now accounts for 45 percent of electric step vans in California and 19 percent of step van deployments in the U.S. overall. Most importantly, Motiv leads the industry with repeat/follow-on orders; since founding, 64 percent of vehicles have been delivered to repeat customers.

About Motiv Electric Trucks

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv is a leading manufacturer of medium-duty, zero-emission electric trucks. Motiv produces a range of vehicles, including step vans, shuttle buses, box trucks, and work trucks bases, all of which eliminate tailpipe CO2 emissions and particulate matter, while offering drivers and passengers a more comfortable, quieter and safer ride.

Motiv’s combination of operational cost savings and environmental performance helps customers meet increasingly stringent emissions and pollution standards as well as achieve their own Net-Zero, ESG or other climate impact-related pledges and commitments.

More information about the company’s products, services, and career opportunities is available at www.motivtrucks.com 

Motiv’s first fully integrated cab-chassis design expands the number and variety of electric trucks and applications that can be produced to meet growing customer demand

LAS VEGAS, Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, May 21, 2024 — Motiv Electric Trucks, a leading OEM of medium duty electric trucks and buses today launched Argo, its first-ever fully-integrated cab-chassis design that significantly expands the number and type of vehicles and applications that can be electrified.

Available in multiple configurations, Argo supports dock-height to lower-profile applications and a wider range of truck body lengths for work site vehicles (short dump trucks and aerial lifts), walk-through delivery trucks (step vans), dry freight or refrigerated trucks up to 30 feet long, and buses.

“Overnight we’ve moved from a company primarily serving a narrow slice of the $20 billion medium duty truck market to one that can serve nearly that entire market,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv Electric Trucks. “The launch of Argo is a transformational moment for our company as we can now offer more vehicles and options to help more fleet customers meet their sustainability goals.”

Argo’s intentional design incorporated learnings from Motiv’s 15 years and 4 million miles of vehicles on the road and was informed by substantial customer participation and feedback. The result is a new truck that is energy efficient, safer for pedestrians and drivers and offers the highest payload of any medium-duty electric vehicle.

Among the many benefits of the Argo series are:

• Heavier payloads, farther: Argo trucks haul up to 14,000 pounds of payload and can drive up to 200 miles. The cab’s lightweight composite structure coupled with the Aries LFP battery that was co-developed with Our Next Energy, provides fleets with industry-leading range and payload, all without requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
  
  
• Safety for everyone: Argo’s safety-focused design begins with an emphasis on visibility. Forward command seating, low beltlines, larger windshield and a low curbside window provide drivers more direct views of their surroundings to keep pedestrians safe. Front and rear camera and optional e-mirrors offer additional visibility enhancements.
  
  

Argo’s design also prioritizes driver safety. Curbside, forward-facing entry and exit with two full-length safety railings and full-size, high-friction, self-cleaning interior steps help mitigate the most commonly-occurring operator injuries.

• A truck that drivers love: Designed for operator heights ranging from 4’11” to 6’3”, Argo was built to maximize accessibility and thus expand the pool of potential drivers. A heated captain seat with adjustable lumbar support and armrests enables better driving posture, allowing for improved vehicle control while reducing fatigue. Intuitive navigation, climate control, cup holder and device charger ports are within an arm’s reach for everyone, minimizing distractions. The 6’3” interior allows drivers to step in, stand up and stretch, and offers ample storage space and room for one or two optional jump seats.
  
• Superior uptime and durability:  The Argo platform provides superior durability and uptime at a fraction of the weight of other electric medium duty trucks. Built in partnership with TPI Composites, the Argo cab uses advanced structural composite materials and processes that provide dramatically higher corrosion and impact resistance as well as better repairability and stronger structural integrity. As a result, the cab gets damaged less frequently and can be repaired faster. Motiv’s robust Gen 6 technology featuring the Motiv Smart Hub improves reliability by reducing cables and replacing wires with circuit boards. The Argo has superior service access from within the cab to expedite maintenance, empowering fleets to spend more time on route.
  
• Energy optimized: Energy optimization is everywhere in the Argo cab’s composite structure, which provides superior insulation versus metal cabs. Other energy-saving features include built-in microwire heat on the windshield to save on defrosting energy and seats heated and cooled with specially-designed airflow.
  
• Compatible with 14-foot to 30-foot truck bodies. The Argo comes in wheelbases ranging from 178-inch to 252-inch. Available in a dock-height configuration with standard 295/75R22.5 tires or a lower-profile height with 245/70R19.5 tires, Argo works in almost any medium duty application.
  
• Diesel-equivalent torque: Argo’s patented motor and controller, co-developed with Nidec, offers torque comparable to a Class 8 diesel and motor performance comparable to an 800V system, all using a 400V system that is compatible with all DC fast chargers.  

Motiv has developed, manufactured and deployed electric step vans, box trucks and shuttles to businesses for the last 15 years, putting more than 300 vehicles on the road that have collectively driven 4 million miles and delivered approximately 240 million pounds of goods. In 2023, the company’s electric trucks collectively achieved a remarkable 98 percent uptime, according to company diagnostic data.

“We’ve come a long way from the early days of the electric truck industry – every year we see substantial improvements in uptime and performance coming from design improvements we’ve developed hand-in-hand with customers,” said Jim Castelaz, Motiv’s Founder and Chief Technology and Revenue Officer. “Many fleet customers have been impressed with the simple design of our new Gen 6 architecture, which includes less copper, better cable routing, easier service access, our patented smart hub and reliable software. This apparent simplicity took years for us to optimize and now our customers can finally reap the benefits.”

Today, 10 of the largest 20 medium duty truck fleets in North America have deployed Motiv vehicles, including Purolator, Vestis (formerly Aramark Uniform Services), Cintas, Bimbo Bakeries and other leading brands. Further, Motiv now accounts for 45 percent of electric step vans in California and 19 percent of step van deployments in the U.S. overall.

The Argo Series of vehicles are Made in the USA, Buy America-compliant and are eligible for tax credits and a variety of incentive programs. Available for order beginning today, more information on Argo trucks can be found at motivtrucks.com.

About Motiv Electric Trucks

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv is a leading manufacturer of medium-duty, zero-emission electric trucks. Motiv produces a range of vehicles, including step vans, shuttle buses, box trucks, and work trucks basis, all of which eliminate tailpipe CO2 emissions and particulate matter, while offering drivers and passengers a more comfortable, quieter and safer ride.

Motiv’s combination of operational cost savings and environmental performance helps customers meet increasingly stringent emissions and pollution standards as well as achieve their own Net-Zero, ESG or other climate impact-related pledges and commitments.

More information about the company’s products, services, and career opportunities is available at motivtrucks.com.