This massive infrastructure bill is the result of the work of many committees in the House. The centerpiece is the surface transportation bill (sometimes known as the highway bill) that gets passed about every 5 years.
The new electric trolley provides residents and visitors mountain views with zero tailpipe emissions
[Foster City, Calif. – July 14, 2020] — Motiv Power Systems, a sustainable technology company delivering all-electric chassis with a proven software platform for the electrification of medium-duty trucks and buses, announced the deployment of its first electric trolley with the Town of Estes Park in Colorado, with one more planned. The Town operates a free shuttle service during the peak summer tourism season and for several special annual events. Motiv supplied its Ford eQVM approved EPIC F-53 chassis, and worked with Hometown Trolley who designed and built the custom body. With a capacity for 24 passengers and designed to hold enough battery charge for eight hours of service, trolleys electrified by Motiv are ideal for people moving services with predictable routes.
A small socially distanced ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on July 1st and included masked Town staff and officials, including Mayor Wendy Koenig, who remarked that the two trolleys would save 3,456 gallons of fuel over one season. Given a 10K annual mile usage with 104 miles per day, by switching from gasoline to electric, they estimate a 30-metric ton C02 reduction.
“Deploying an electric trolley in Estes Park, on the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park, sends a clear message: we care about sustainability, air quality and the health of our community,” said Vanessa Solesbee, CAPP, Parking & Transit Manager, Town of Estes Park. “We are pleased to partner with Motiv Power Systems, who’s delivered on their mission to free fleets from fossil fuels by providing many fleets electric versions of their vehicles, and today our first electric trolley. We hope this is the first of many electric vehicles for our community, setting an example for others to follow.”
Even as COVID-19 significantly slowed the travel industry, tourism’s carbon impact is undeniable, especially in the transportation sector. Motiv’s electric trolleys offer zero tailpipe emissions and reduce operation and maintenance costs by up to 85 percent, resulting in a significantly lower total cost of operation over the vehicle’s life.
“Not only is the Town of Estes realizing their sustainability goals with this beneficial application, but the unique design of the vehicle offers one of a kind views of the park and local terrain,” said Matt O’Leary, Motiv Chairman and CEO. “Motiv partners with each customer from start to finish, including finding funding, navigating charging infrastructure, and coordinating with partners to make sure every detail of the project is seamless. This approach helped Estes Park focus on what they do best, showcasing the beauty of the region while at the same time improving air quality.”
Motiv’s electric trolley for the Town of Estes Park, Colorado
Today’s municipal and commercial fleets are embracing electric vehicles (EVs) over their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts for benefits such as O&M cost savings, compliance with upcoming mandates, improved driver experience, and clean air in the communities they serve. These deployments are ideal applications for EVs, with repeatable routes and predictable overnight depot charging. Motiv works with leading fleet operators to help them meet their sustainability and business goals.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems is a leading provider of proven technology to electrify medium-duty trucks and buses. Their commitment to freeing fleets from fossil fuels provides fleets a seamless pathway to electrification. Motiv’s proven EV technology is Ford eQVM-approved, CARB-certified, uses proven BMW passenger car batteries and is available for many configurations including step vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. Motiv has over 100 vehicles on the road, operating at over 99% uptime, and more than one million miles logged among several of the largest fleets in North America. Motiv’s adaptable technology solutions offer fleets up to 85% operation and maintenance cost savings as well as provide operators with a healthier, smoother, and quieter driving experience without polluting the communities they serve. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com.
Media Contact for Motiv:
Joanna Hamblin
Sr. Marketing Manager
Motiv Power Systems
joanna.hamblin@motivps.com
(650) 204-9099
Technica Communications
Sarah Malpeli
(408) 806-9626 ext. 6840
sarah@technicacommunications.com
Motiv Power Systems has delivered 9 electric box trucks to Sacramento’s non-profit Community Resource Project (CRP). The e-trucks will be used to provide home energy audits, weatherization and HVAC services to low-income residents in an area where air quality is some of the worst in the country.
Motiv Power Systems has deployed nine electric box trucks with Community Resource Project (CRP). The electric trucks will be deployed in greater Sacramento to provide home energy audits, weatherization and HVAC services to low-income residents. Motiv’s Ford eQVM-approved Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) E-450 chassis were outfitted with work truck bodies by Rockport Commercial Vehicles and purchased through South Bay Ford.
Motiv Power Systems Inc., which counts more than 1 million miles of travel on its battery-electric truck and bus chassis, sees a coming breakout for zero-emission commercial vehicles.
“Fleets can see the technology’s ready. And so they want to get in early enough to be influencing the technology and make sure it works in their operations, as opposed to trying to scramble on the back end,” Motiv CEO Matt O’Leary told FreightWaves.
New electric vehicles will provide energy audits and weatherization services to Sacramento-area residents
[Foster City, Calif. – June 23, 2020] — Motiv Power Systems, a sustainable technology company delivering all-electric chassis with a proven software platform for the electrification of medium-duty trucks and buses, announced the deployment of nine electric box trucks with Community Resource Project (CRP). The electric trucks will be deployed in greater Sacramento to provide home energy audits, weatherization and HVAC services to low-income residents in an area where air quality is some of the worst in the country. Motiv’s Ford eQVM-approved Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) E-450 chassis were outfitted with work truck bodies by Rockport Commercial Vehicles and purchased through South Bay Ford.
Funding for the electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure comes from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The vehicles have gone through pre-delivery inspection at Motiv’s newly opened Stockton service center, which will also serve as the base for any repairs or maintenance.
Community Resource Project’s (CRP) new electric truck from Motiv Power Systems post-inspection in their Stockton facility.
“As a non-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency, it is important that we lead by example in our efforts,” stated Luis Sanchez, CEO of Community Resource Project. “With the help of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Motiv, we are now able to serve people in the region with a clean mobility option. By reducing energy consumption and lowering utility costs, we are saving residents money and decreasing emissions and associated air pollution – a win-win for everyone.”
CRP chose Motiv based on the company’s Sacramento presence and its track record of outstanding pre- and post-sales customer support. Motiv has grown rapidly in the last two years, with repeat orders from happy customers and opening new service centers to support them.
“With recent reports showing the impact of poor air quality on human health, it is more important than ever to free fleets from fossil fuels,” said Matt O’Leary, Motiv Chairman and CEO. “Our proven software platform is providing the pathway to electrification, and thanks to our customers, we reached 1 million fleet miles in April.”
Motiv is focused on building a highly flexible system and a robust software platform that easily integrates already commercialized high-volume batteries, motors and other components into a chassis. This is an ideal solution for fleets as it requires little to no engineering or redesign and provides maximum vehicle configurations and compatibility with existing truck and bus body-builders.
“We are proud of our continued partnership with Motiv Power Systems. Motiv took the innovative approach of partnering with chassis original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and truck builders like Rockport to electrify the chassis in a way that allows us to run bodies down our assembly line just as we do with any other chassis,” said Caleb Pontius, General Manager at Rockport Commercial Vehicles by Forest River Inc. “Safety, battery size/type, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and other specifications are driving the build versus being an afterthought, which is also an ideal set-up for scaling.”
This partnership delivers economic, social and environmental benefits by combining clean jobs with clean air. CRP plans to promote this electric truck project throughout the 42 energy providers network.
“The Sac Metro Air District applauds CRP for being an air quality advocate and leader by adding these nine electric vehicles to their fleet,” said Air Pollution Control Officer, Alberto Ayala. “CRP will operate these Motiv-powered vehicles in our most at-risk communities where they are helping our low-income homeowners make sustainable energy improvements to their homes. Zero-emission vehicle technology protects the health of CRP drivers, reduces air pollution and demonstrates this new technology in the communities CRP serves. This is just another example of how CRP continues to serve our community by prioritizing health and a sustainable environment.”
Utilizing fifth generation software, Motiv has over 100 vehicles on the road, providing customers with greater than 99 percent uptime. Key customers include USPS, Aramark, AmeriPride, Bimbo Bakeries, Winnebago Industries, and several school districts across the country.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems is a leading provider of proven software to electrify medium-duty trucks and buses. Their commitment to freeing fleets from fossil fuels promotes the pathway to electrification to transform fleets. Motiv’s proven software platform is Ford eQVM-approved, CARB- certified, uses proven high-volume commercial scale batteries and available for many configurations including step vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. With more than 1,000,000 miles logged among several of the largest fleet operators in North America. Motiv’s adaptable technology solutions are not only zero-emission, but they dramatically reduce fleet operating and maintenance costs. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com.
Media Contact for Motiv:
Joanna Hamblin
Sr. Marketing Manager
Motiv Power Systems
joanna.hamblin@motivps.com
(650) 204-9099
Technica Communications
Sarah Malpeli
(408) 806-9626 ext. 6840
sarah@technicacommunications.com
Aramark, a safety, food, facilities, and uniform services provider, operates 31 Motiv-powered vehicles in California. The company announced that it has officially covered more than 275,000 emissions-free miles with the step vans.
Based on Motiv’s EPIC F-59 chassis, during the more 275,000 emission-free miles, the vans have saved Aramark more than $100,000 in fuel and maintenance costs, and are currently operating at a 99% uptime.
Motiv showed off the F-59 chassis at The Work Truck Show 2020. The chassis was built to serve urban fleet delivery customers for parcel and delivery vans, school and shuttle buses. It features a shorter wheelbase and Motiv’s modular battery system.
With its emissions mandates, tough labor laws, inspection requirements and extensive regulations, California has become both a difficult and expensive environment for trucking.
Nonetheless, the state’s role in trucking technology development, both for zero-emission commercial vehicles and autonomous driving, is starting to push industry advances, motor carrier executives and analysts said.
The state’s subsidies for vehicle acquisition and infrastructure are creating the initial volume the industry requires to calculate the real-world cost of operation for electric and hydrogen powered trucks.
When students eventually return to the Triad school district in southwest Illinois, officials are hoping to have a cleaner option to get them there.
The district has arranged for the purchase of three Motiv Type C electric school buses through funding provided by the Volkswagen lawsuit settlement. The buses were initially scheduled for delivery this spring, but with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, that delivery has been delayed.
Though it’s not yet clear when the new buses will arrive, the district is still taking the long view with a tentative 15-year plan to replace 50% of its 27-vehicle fleet from carbon-based fuels to electric, according to Kevin McGraw, transportation manager for the school district.
Some municipalities and private companies recognize eco-friendly planning, programs and products can add value and quality of life to residents and customers. In Stockton, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Central Valley, sustainable initiatives are being developed in the public and private sectors. Here are a few programs and businesses participating in environmentally sustainable initiatives.
Motiv Power Systems, a sustainable technology company based in San Francisco that makes electric chassis, opened a facility in Stockton in February. Motiv partners with Ford, modifying trucks and shuttle and school buses with software and electronics to make them electric vehicles. Matt O’Leary, Motiv chairman and CEO, says the Stockton facility serves as a predelivery inspection and service center. “Stockton was important because of the hundred vehicles that we have deployed, almost half of those are in the Central Valley. We wanted to have a location that was central to our customers,” he says, and Motiv is providing job opportunities in the region. “We found contacts familiar with the technology we work with. We hired locals right out of Stockton,” O’Leary says. The company plans to play a role in assisting with clean transportation as a solution to improve air quality in Stockton.
