May 1, 2018

Winnebago Industries Launches All-electric/Zero-emission Commercial Vehicle Platform

FOREST CITY, IOWA — Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WGO), a leading United States (U.S.) recreation vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of an all-electric/zero-emission commercial vehicle platform through the Company’s Specialty Vehicles Division. In conjunction, the Company has announced a strategic partnership with Motiv Power Systems, Inc., a U.S. market leader in chassis for medium-duty electric vehicles, for the development and supply of electric-powered chassis. As part of the strategic partnership, Winnebago intends to make a financial investment in Motiv, the terms of which were not disclosed.

“Winnebago Industries is a company that is focused on creating customer value through innovation and technology,” said Ashis Bhattacharya, Vice President, Strategic Planning and Development, and leader of the Specialty Vehicles Division. “We have a rich history of product and feature innovation, and we are continuously evaluating new and emerging technologies to further that legacy. We believe that all-electric vehicle applications continue to evolve to serve numerous end-user needs and this is our first step as a participant in this space.”

Winnebago Industries has been a leading supplier of specialty and custom-built vehicles for more than 30 years. Offerings include commercial shells, Ability Equipped motorhomes, and specialty vehicles. Every Winnebago Industries commercial vehicle features an interlocking SuperStructure design creating a barrier-free interior and allowing for maximum customization. Available options include slide rooms, alternate entrance door locations, wheelchair lifts and cargo doors. Other integrated systems can include: air-conditioning, generators, solar panels, inverters, power back-up systems, leveling systems, toilets, showers, and plumbing.

Winnebago Industries’ all-electric/zero-emission commercial vehicle is based on a Class A RV platform utilizing Motiv’s Ford F53 based EPIC all-electric chassis and will be available in 33-foot and 38-foot lengths with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) up to 26,000 pounds. The vehicle is suited for urban and semi-urban short range commercial applications like mobile medical clinics, bloodmobiles, mobile classrooms and mobile outreach vehicles. Significant road testing has been conducted on the vehicle that houses six to eight batteries and delivers an expected range of 85 to 125 miles on a full charge.

“Motiv’s EPIC all-electric chassis, paired with Winnebago Industries’ highly regarded commercial shell, is the perfect fit for end-users who seek reliable performance and functionality,” said Jim Castelaz, Motiv CEO & Founder. “We are excited to collaborate with Winnebago Industries as we work together to grow the electric commercial vehicle market.”

About Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries is a leading U.S. manufacturer of recreation vehicles under the Winnebago and Grand Design brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds quality motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheel products. Winnebago has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Oregon and Minnesota. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges and traded under the symbol WGO. Options for the Company's common stock are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. For access to Winnebago's investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net.

About Motiv Power Systems

Founded in 2009, and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems is committed to freeing fleets from their dependence on fossil fuels. Motiv’s EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) family is CARB certified, GSA approved, and available for a number of different body configurations including walk-in vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. An EPIC chassis offers uncompromised performance and functionality without the pollution, noise, heat, and vibration of gasoline or diesel power. Motiv is a Ford eQVM-approved provider of all-electric chassis for commercial trucks and buses and benefits from engineering insights and support from Ford to ensure safety and reliability. With more than 350,000 miles logged in Fortune 50 fleet deployments throughout North America, the EPIC family eliminates 100% of vehicle emissions, dramatically reduces operating and maintenance costs, and creates a healthier environment for riders and communities, while also reducing driver fatigue.

May 1, 2018

Motiv Introducing Cost-Cutting Battery Controller for Its EV Chassis

Electric truck developer Motiv Power Systems has developed a new unified battery controller that can cut costs, increase cargo capacity and speed up the build process for trucks based on its medium-duty EPIC chassis.

The Foster City, Calif., company made the announcement at the ACT Expo green transportation conference Monday in Long Beach, Calif.

May 1, 2018

Motiv Power Systems Announces Industry-First OEM Integrated All-Electric Shuttle Bus with Champion Bus

Motiv Power Systems today announced its commencing sales of all-electric EPIC 4 Series Dearborn chassis with Champion Bus, a REV Group company. The new zero emissions shuttles feature the Challenger EV body manufactured by Champion in Imlay City, Michigan. Based on the popular Ford E-450 platform, the EPIC chassis-equipped Champion Challenger EV is the first of its kind OEM integration for the North American shuttle bus market.

May 1, 2018

Winnebago will build electric bloodmobiles, mulls battery-powered RVs

Electric commercial vehicles are becoming more and more attractive to business owners who are looking to save money on fuel and maintenance costs, and these days more manufacturers are looking to get into the game, even Winnebago.

Yes, the very same Winnebago that has been enchanting Americans on cross-country trips for decades is getting ready to start releasing electric versions of its commercial vehicle platforms in partnership with a company called Motiv Power Systems. You might be struggling to picture a commercial Winnebago, but they are extremely popular platforms for bookmobiles, bloodmobiles (aka mobile blood donation centers) and mobile medical units.

April 24, 2018

Motiv Power Systems Announces ABC™ Adaptive Battery Controller for EPIC All-Electric Chassis

Revolutionary Battery Controller Lowers Cost, Increases Payload, and Streamlines Build Process for Medium-Duty Fleet Vehicle Applications

FOSTER CITY Calif. and LONG BEACH, Calif. — Motiv Power Systems this week at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, California announced plans to produce its forthcoming Adaptive Battery Controller™ (ABC), its new technology for monitoring and controlling multiple independent battery packs. The ABC represents an exciting step forward in controlling the batteries of Motiv's Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) family of chassis for trucks and busses, reducing the control hardware's footprint to a mere 10 percent of its previous size and weight.

The single biggest hurdle facing the adoption of electric zero-emissions vehicles in the commercial fleet market is up-front cost followed by limited payload/range as a close second. This is because most electric commercial vehicles today use low-volume, custom battery packs that are around twice as expensive per kilowatt-hour in comparison with the high-volume battery packs typically found in passenger cars. Together, the batteries and their respective controllers, represent the biggest cost center in vehicle builds and also negatively impact the finished vehicle's payload capacity and range.

In an effort to both dramatically drive down costs and increase payload and range, Motiv's EPIC chassis takes advantage of the significant cost savings afforded by installing passenger car batteries that are produced at scale and, with an ABC on board, the capability of simultaneously controlling multiple battery packs through a single piece of hardware.

The new ABC also streamlines the body fitting by freeing up space outside of the chassis frame rails, providing more space and flexibility for body builders.

“Motiv's goal with the EPIC was to create a simple, reliable, and cost-effective all-electric chassis capable of meeting the varying needs of medium-duty fleet operators while streamlining the build process. The ABC is a key ingredient in realizing that vision,” said Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “Unlike our legacy technology, which required an extra box per battery and took up a lot of room on the chassis frame rails, the ABC is essentially an intelligent battery junction box for up to six batteries. As a single, discrete piece of hardware, the ABC really is a game-changer and is a pioneering piece of technology for the commercial fleet market. No one else has anything like it.”

Motiv recently became the first all-electric chassis supplier to receive CARB certification. Motiv's EPIC all-electric chassis is already in use in Fortune 50 fleet deployments nationwide, having already logged more than 350,000 miles on the road.

Motiv's EPIC Chassis will be on display in booth #1527 at the ACT Expo and available for test drives in the exhibition's Ride & Drive event. The conference runs April 30 to May 3, 2018 in Long Beach, California.

About Motiv Power Systems

Founded in 2009, and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems is committed to freeing fleets from their dependence on fossil fuels. Motiv's EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) family is CARB certified, GSA approved, and available for a number of different body configurations including walk-in vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. An EPIC chassis offers uncompromised performance and functionality without the pollution, noise, heat, and vibration of gasoline or diesel power. Motiv is a Ford eQVM-approved provider of all-electric chassis for commercial trucks and buses and benefits from engineering review and support from Ford to ensure safety and reliability. With more than 350,000 miles logged in Fortune 50 fleet deployments throughout North America, the EPIC family eliminates 100% of vehicle emissions, dramatically reduces operating and maintenance costs, and creates a healthier environment for riders and communities, while also reducing driver fatigue.

April 2, 2018

Motiv offers intelligent electric chassis as replacement for gasoline chassis trucks

When the future of vehicles is in perspective, the significance of the electric drive can never be overstated. Electric vehicles (EV) have been in existence for many decades now, but never broke into mainstream contention for a long time as the image of an EV was docile at best, compared to the muscle of gasoline or diesel engines.

But times have changed, with EVs covering a lot of ground now while creating ripples in the ecosystem – be it with the investors, consumers, or the reigning OEMs. Public incentives to the cause of electric drive is fueling innovation. Quite recently, the governor of California announced an additional $1.25 billion towards zero-emission vehicles which would go a long way in reducing the carbon footprint of the state and in making cities more environmentally sustainable.

March 24, 2018

CARB Certification Streamlines Rebate Process For Motiv’s Electric Chassis

Electric vehicle solution provider Motiv Power Systems announced that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has certified its Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) family of products for use in Class 4-7 commercial vehicle applications.
The certification is noteworthy, as it makes Motiv the first Tier 1 supplier of CARB-certified fully-electric stripped chassis. This certification is a major milestone for Motiv as fully-electric EPIC chassis are certified for their entire service life, meaning no emissions testing is required.

March 23, 2018

Motiv Power EPIC all-electric chassis for trucks and buses receives 2019 California ARB order for emissions exemption

Motiv Power Systems has received an Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board certifying its Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) family for use in Class 4-7 commercial vehicle applications. Motiv has now become the first Tier 1 supplier of a CARB-certified all-electric stripped chassis. Unlike diesel and gasoline powered stripped chassis, EPIC chassis are certified for the entirety of their service life, requiring no further emissions testing.

March 22, 2018

Motiv Power Systems EPIC All-Electric Chassis for Trucks and Buses Receives First 2019 California Air Resources Board Executive Order for Emissions Exemption

2018 -2019 CARB Certification for EPIC Chassis Family Clears Path for Medium Duty Truck and Bus Fleet Electrification

FOSTER CITY, Calif.Motiv Power Systems announced it has received an Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board certifying its Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) family for use in Class 4-7 commercial vehicle applications.

Motiv has now become the first Tier 1 supplier of a CARB-certified all-electric stripped chassis. Unlike diesel and gasoline powered stripped chassis, EPIC chassis are certified for the entirety of their service life, requiring no further emissions testing.

With CARB certification, finished vehicles built on the all-electric EPIC chassis are also eligible for both state and federal grant and subsidy sources, netting savings of around $100,000 per vehicle in both California and New York.

“Prior to the introduction of Motiv's EPIC chassis, final stage vehicle builders, which comprise the majority of the medium-duty fleet market, couldn't transition to electric without going through an arduous certification process of their own. Additionally, reconfiguring a previously approved application required going through a re-certification process,” explained Urvi Nagrani, Director of Business Development for Motiv. “With this CARB certification of the entire EPIC chassis family, Motiv is taking that regulatory burden off of builders and owning it ourselves.”

As compared to both gasoline and diesel, the new EPIC chassis family reduces operating costs by 85% and maintenance expenses by 66% while providing comparable hill climbing capability and performance. The EPIC chassis' use of passenger car batteries ensures long service life and inexpensive replacement costs while over-the-air software updates deliver new features and functionality.

“Because California emissions regulations are the most stringent nationwide, they are implemented by twenty other states. This means vehicles built on the EPIC chassis can be deployed anywhere in the U.S., a major plus for fleet programs operating nationally,” said Jim Castelaz, CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “This CARB certification means manufacturers of commercial truck and bus bodies can easily drop EPIC Chassis onto their existing production lines in order to offer all-electric versions of their existing vehicles.”

Motiv's unique technology integrated into the EPIC all-electric chassis is already in use in Fortune 50 fleet deployments nationwide, having already logged more than 350,000 miles on the road.

About Motiv Power Systems

Founded in 2009, and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems is committed to freeing fleets from their dependence on fossil fuels. Motiv's EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) family is CARB certified and available for a number of different body configurations including walk-in vans, box trucks, work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, trolleys, and other specialty vehicles. An EPIC chassis offers uncompromised performance and functionality without the pollution, noise, heat, and vibration of gasoline or diesel power. Motiv is a Ford eQVM-approved provider of all-electric chassis for commercial trucks and buses and benefits from engineering insights and support from Ford to ensure safety and reliability. With more than 350,000 miles logged in Fortune 50 fleet deployments throughout North America, the EPIC family eliminates 100% of vehicle emissions, dramatically reduces operating and maintenance costs, and creates a healthier environment for riders and communities, while also reducing driver fatigue.

March 22, 2018

$100K incentive savings on newly CARB certified Motiv EPIC electric chassis

Motiv Power Systems announced today that it has received an executive order from the California Air Resources Board certifying its Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis (EPIC) family for use in Class 4-7 commercial vehicle applications.

Motiv has now become the first Tier 1 supplier of a CARB-certified all-electric stripped chassis. Unlike diesel and gasoline powered stripped chassis, EPIC chassis are certified for the entirety of their service life, requiring no further emissions testing.