With diesel fuel prices hovering at lows not seen in a decade, the smart money might bet against businesses developing products to replace the diesel engines and technology that keep the nation’s trucks on the road.
But entrepreneurs developing new fuels, engines and other green technology insist that they aren’t worried that retail diesel prices hovering near $2 a gallon, a drop of 30 percent in the last year, might hurt their ventures.
Ford F59 Chassis Used for the Zero-Emission Route Star Walk-In Van on Display at the Work Truck Show, March 1-4, booth #5667
FOSTER CITY, Calif. and STURGIS, Mich. — The award-winning and extremely versatile all-electric powertrain supplier for trucks and buses and North America's leading manufacturer of walk-in vans announced today a partnership to put more all-electric delivery trucks on America's roads. Motiv Power Systems and Morgan Olson are collaborating to provide an all-electric option for Morgan Olson's popular “Route Star” walk-in van, built on the Ford F59 chassis. Both companies will be exhibiting at The Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, March 1-4. An F59 chassis equipped with a Motiv all-electric powertrain will be on display in booth #5667.
“We are thrilled to be working with Motiv and utilizing their all-electric powertrain technology,” said Rich Tremmel, Morgan Olson's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Many fleet managers are exploring alternative fuel solutions and finding electric to be ideal in many delivery applications. We want Morgan Olson to be the body company of choice for these new technologies.”
The new all-electric option of the Route Star walk-in van features up to 20 percent gradeability, 85 miles of range and a 50 percent battery charge time of 2.5 hours. The design of Morgan Olson's walk-in van bodies demonstrate a 50 percent faster delivery time over conventional delivery trucks.
The first all-electric walk-in van was recently delivered to AmeriPride Services‘ Vernon, Calif. facility. Within the next year, this facility will be utilizing the all-electric Route Star walk-in van as part of a pilot program to convert 20 percent of its fleet to zero-emission all-electric trucks. AmeriPride is one of the leading textile rental services and supply company in North America.
“It's exciting to see leaders like Morgan Olson and AmeriPride embracing all-electric trucks in a significant way,” said Jim Castelaz, CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “Delivery trucks are central to America's economic health and by powering them with a Motiv all-electric powertrain, fleets gain some stability in their operating budgets, independence from fossil fuels and reduction of diesel particulate pollution in the communities they serve – a powerful triple benefit.”
In addition to the F59 chassis, Motiv has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier Class 8 chassis. Configurations include all the components required to transform a chassis to zero-emission all-electric drive and are professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.
The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain was named one of Popular Science's Best of What's New technologies and has been successfully used in school buses, shuttle buses, delivery trucks, maintenance trucks and North America's only all-electric refuse truck in the City of Chicago.
About Morgan Olson
Morgan Olson is North America's leading producer of Walk-In vans and dry freight delivery vehicle bodies. Over the years many successful industry leading companies have chosen Morgan Olson to provide innovative delivery vehicles to get their product to their customers, on-time, every time. Today, Morgan Olson continues its tradition as the leading walk-in van body manufacturer in North America. Morgan Olson's portfolio of customers serves a multitude of industries and delivery applications. From baking and snack foods to newspaper, textile rental, vending and parcel delivery, the industry choice of commercial truck bodies is clear…Morgan Olson quality. Morgan Olson works closely with various alternative fuel chassis manufacturers. From electric, CNG, Propane, battery-electric and hydraulic hybrid propulsion systems, Morgan Olson has built bodies on all relevant and viable alternative fuel chassis.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, the award-winning Motiv Power Systems designs and builds flexible and scalable All-Electric Powertrains for commercial medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Motiv partners with existing truck builders who manufacture electric versions of their traditional fossil-fueled vehicles on their current assembly lines using the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain. Common vehicle types from these builders include work, delivery and refuse trucks, as well as school and shuttle buses. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain is installed at the time of vehicle manufacture, similar to a natural gas or propane upfit. In 2014, Motiv All-Electric Powertrain was named one of Popular Science's Best of What's New technologies. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com and follow us on Twitter @motivps, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Morgan Olson will begin offering its Route Star walk-in van as a battery-electric vehicle propelled by a Motiv Power System powertrain, Motiv has announced.
The all-electric Route Star, which is built on a Ford F-59 stripped chassis, features 20% gradeability, 85 miles of range, and a 50% battery charge in 2.5 hours, according to the companies.
Motiv Power System, recently delivered the first all-electric walk-in van to linen delivery fleet AmeriPride Services’ Vernon, Calif., facility.
AmeriPride Services, a textile rental services and supply company, announced plans to replace 20 percent of the fleet at its Vernon branch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans.
Area business leaders and government officials have been invited to an open house at AmeriPride’s Vernon location on February 18 at 2 p.m. to learn about the new vehicle in person and even take a ride.
20 Percent of Delivery Fleet at Vernon, California Facility to be Replaced by Electric Trucks
VERNON, Calif. — AmeriPride Services, a leading textile rental services and supply company in North America, today announced plans to replace 20 percent of the fleet at its Vernonbranch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans as a part of AmeriPride's continuing mission to reduce its carbon footprint and be the industry leader in environmental sustainability. Area business leaders and government officials have been invited to an open house at AmeriPride's Vernon location on February 18that 2pm to learn about the new vehicle in person and even take a ride.
“AmeriPride is committed to the environment and the communities where we live and work,” said Bill Evans, President and CEO of AmeriPride. “As one of the biggest operators in our industry, we are setting the standard for clean operations and continue to make improvements to our delivery operations and invest resources to test and help advance new green technologies.”
The company's new delivery vehicles feature up to 20 percent gradeability, 80 miles of range and a 50 percent battery charge time of 2.5 hours. Installed by Morgan Olson on a Ford F59 Chassis, the walk-in step vans are the first Motiv-powered vehicles installed on a previously-used body.
“The F59 chassis from Ford is incredibly versatile and we're excited to demonstrate an all-electric option with these AmeriPride trucks,” said Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “It provides a good example to the regional delivery services community that there are real things a company can do to improve regional air quality and reduce fuel costs.”
In addition to the F59 chassis, Motiv has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier COE2 Class 8 chassis. Configurations include all the components required to transform a chassis to zero-emission all-electric drive and are professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.
AmeriPride chose the Vernon market for this pilot based on route density and infrastructure, financial incentives and the region's poor air quality. The purchase of the ten all-electric walk-in vans was made possible through a grant from the California Energy Commission.
“We are extremely excited to pilot the new electric delivery trucks at our facility,” said Annette Casemero, GM of the Vernon branch. “Our first truck has been running daily routes since it was delivered in November and has been running great, with zero service incidents or calls needed. Adding electric vehicles to our fleet complements our expanding alternative fuel program and we look forward to adding additional electric vehicles to our fleet in the coming year.”
Other initiatives the company is implementing at Vernon and other branches include propane, compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles; trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency. More details on AmeriPride's efforts can be found in the company's Corporate Responsibility Report that outlines many key initiatives it is sponsoring across the company.
AmeriPride has received recognition for its sustainability efforts, including TRSA's ‘Clean Green' Award, Heavy Duty Trucking's ‘Top 50 Green Fleets' Award, Fleet Technology Expo's ‘Top Tier Light and Medium Duty Efficient Fleet' Award, and ‘Sacramento Sustainable Business of the Year' for Transportation and Air Quality by the Business and Environmental Resource Center (BERC), as well as recognition from Sacramento Area Sustainable Business, the City and County of Sacramento, the California State Senate and the US Congress. In addition, the Vernon facility received recognition from L.A. County for full compliance with wastewater discharge requirements and zero violations, and has remained in full compliance for more than five consecutive years.
The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain was named one of Popular Science's Best of What's New technologies and has been successfully used in school buses, shuttle buses, delivery trucks, maintenance trucks and North America's only all-electric refuse truck in the City of Chicago.
For more details about the open house on Thursday, February 18, please contact info@motivps.com.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds flexible and scalable All-Electric Powertrains for commercial medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Motiv partners with existing truck builders who manufacture electric versions of their traditional fossil-fueled vehicles on their current assembly lines using the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain. Common vehicle types from these builders include work, delivery and refuse trucks, as well as school and shuttle buses. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain is installed at the time of vehicle manufacture, similar to a natural gas or propane upfit. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com and follow us on Twitter @motivps, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About AmeriPride
Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., AmeriPride Services is recognized as one of the largest textile rental and supply companies in North America. Operating more than 115 production facilities and service centers throughout the United States and Canada, the company provides linen and towels, uniforms, floor mats, restroom and cleaning products to nearly 150,000 customers through rental and purchase programs. As a true business partner, AmeriPride helps customers improve their image while keeping facilities clean and employees safe. Innovation, personalized service and a dedication to company values has sustained the private, family-owned company for more than 125 years. AmeriPride's demonstrated commitment to customers, the community, employees and the environment has made them the People You Can Count On. Additional company information can be found at www.ameripride.com.
The venerable Ford F59 chassis got an electric makeover last spring when the electric vehicle company Motiv Power Systems announced that it would use the versatile light-duty truck and bus platform on its off-the-shelf EV manufacturing system. Barely one year later, Motiv is already out with another new sustainability twist: repurposing truck bodies formerly used in gasmobiles to manufacture new EVs on the F59 chassis.
New Zero-Emission e-Quest XL to be built on Ford F59 Chassis, using Starcraft bus body
FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Continuing to demonstrate its collaborative approach to greening America's fleets, Motiv Power Systems and Creative Bus Sales, Inc announced they will partner on a new all-electric school bus. Called the Starcraft e-Quest XL, the zero-emission school bus will use the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain, a Ford F59 chassis and Starcraft body. Features of the e-Quest XL bus include passenger capacity of up to 48, a range of up to 85 miles, 50 percent charge within 2 hours, among others.
Starcraft Bus is North America's largest and fastest growing shuttle bus company. Starcraft's top selling dealer is Creative Bus Sales, the nation's largest bus dealership with multiple sales and service locations throughout the United States. This partnership will also allow Chino, CA based Green Alternative Systems (GAS), the largest fleet conversion company in North America, to add Motiv to its portfolio of available alternative fuel systems for fleets across the country.
“After making our mark with compressed natural gas upfits, we are thrilled to be able to collaborate with Motiv and offer an all-electric option to our customers,” said Mark Matijevich, General Manager of GAS. “Greening the nation's fleets is not a one-size-fits-all solution; between CNG, propane and now an all-electric option, we continue to guide schools and commercial fleets towards the best options to fit their operational needs while reducing their carbon footprints.”
In addition to the Ford F59 chassis, the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier COE2 class 8 chassis. Like the F59 All-Electric Powertrain, these configurations include all of the components needed to transform a chassis from fossil-fuel-powered to zero-emission all-electric drive including batteries, electric motors, a universal charger, and electric power for auxiliary systems. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain is professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.
Named one of Popular Science's Best of What's New technologies, the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain has successfully been used in school buses, shuttle buses, delivery trucks, maintenance trucks and North America's only all-electric refuse truck deployed by the City of Chicago.
ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds flexible and scalable All-Electric Powertrains for commercial medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Motiv partners with existing truck builders who manufacture electric versions of their traditional fossil-fueled vehicles on their current assembly lines using the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain. Common vehicle types from these builders include work, delivery and refuse trucks, as well as school and shuttle buses. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain is installed at the time of vehicle manufacture, similar to a natural gas or propane upfit. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com and follow us on Twitter @motivps, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT CREATIVE BUS SALES
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Creative Bus Sales is the nation's largest bus dealership, representing over 20 top manufacturers in multiple strategic locations across the country. With hundreds of units in stock, Creative offers new and used bus sales, online parts ordering, service, warranty, in-house financing, and alternative fuel conversions, including CNG, propane and electric. Visit us at CreativeBusSales.com or on social media: Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
ABOUT GREEN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS
Green Alternative Systems (GAS), the largest commercial alternative fuel upfitter in North America. GAS is dedicated to designing and installing the highest quality natural gas, propane, hybrid, and electric fuel systems for the transit and fleet industries. A participant of the Ford QVM program, with an educated and well-trained team of sales and service personnel located at facilities across the country, GAS offers fuel systems for buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles. Visit us at GreenAlternativeSystems.com.
Creative Bus Sales
800.326.2877
Sales@CreativeBusSales.com
Green Alternative Systems
(877) 686-9448
Sales@GreenAlternativeSystems.com
FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Four new all electric community shuttle buses, funded by Google in a two year pilot project, are on the road in Mountain View, California. Known as the Mountain View Community Shuttles, the white and blue buses use modular, plug and play electric powertrain technology from Motiv Power Systems. The Motiv electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) is the only product suite in the industry that electrifies truck or bus chassis as a ship-though option, using a variety of commercially-available battery packs and motors.
“We're happy to be working with Motiv and the City of Mountain View on the new electric community shuttles,” said Meghan Casserly, Google spokesperson. “We hope the shuttle system makes getting around a little easier–and greener–for all of our neighbors.”
The Mountain View Community Shuttle service is aimed at moving residents and visitors through the City between neighborhoods, shopping centers, medical complexes, City facilities and recreation areas. The four electric shuttles are free to the public and are equipped with seating for 16 passengers, a wheelchair lift, space for two wheelchairs, WiFi connectivity and bicycle racks on the outside of the vehicle. The free shuttles are being made available to help residents and visitors access recreational areas. City officials hope the service will reduce drive-alone traffic, as well as help residents get around town in a loop route.
“With these four buses, thousands of residents will get to experience firsthand what an electric bus can offer,” said Motiv CEO Jim Castelaz. “These buses demonstrate we don't need to design new vehicles from the ground up to break their reliance on fossil fuel and offer zero-emission vehicle options.”
While the costs of the two year pilot program are supported by Google, the electrification of the shuttles was made possible through funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). CEC grants allowed the bus and service dealer, ABC Companies to purchase the batteries, as well as the electric powertrains, and provide Google zero emission shuttles for the same cost as their fossil fuel counterparts.
“We've been watching the development of electric buses over the past few years,” said Jon Savitz, Senior Vice President, Business Development of ABC Companies. “Google's commitment to clean, efficient transportation and their companywide culture of promoting new technologies gave ABC's Ameritrans subsidiary an opportunity to apply Motiv's fully electric drive system to their shuttle vehicles. The Mountain View Community shuttles are the perfect showcase to apply this technology to our buses and bring cleaner public transportation to the residents and visitors of the city.”
The Mountain View Community Shuttles feature a Ford E450 chassis, the Motiv ePCS and an Ameritrans 285 shuttle bus body. With these shuttles, the Motiv ePCS, battery packs, and a motor were installed to replace the engine and transmission of a new incomplete chassis in a ship-through modification. This process, common in the truck and bus industry, is similar to a Compressed Natural Gas ship-through modification and allows for minimal changes between the fossil fuel and electric versions of the final vehicle. Existing truck and bus builders who already use incomplete chassis can use the Motiv ePCS product suite to build and sell electric versions of their existing truck and bus models.
In 2014, Motiv was the first electric truck and bus company in the US to release a production model all-electric school bus and the first in North America to release an all-electric garbage truck.
For more information on shuttle routes, schedules, operations and, in the near future, a ride tracker to show where the shuttles are on their route, visit MVCommunityShuttle.com or call the hotline at (855) 730-RIDE (7433).
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds an electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for commercial truck and bus builders who use it to create all-electric versions of vehicles such as box trucks, flat-take-bed trucks, refrigerated trucks, utility/service trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks. For more information, please visit motivtrucks.com.
Named a winner for its innovative electric Powertrain Control System built for a wide range of electric trucks
FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Motiv Power Systems, the electric truck leader and top supplier of control systems to the growing electric truck market, is proud to announce that its electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) has been awarded a 2014 Best of What's New Award in Green Technology from Popular Science. This award comes after a big year for Motiv, including deliveries of North America'sfirst and only all-electric garbage truck to the City of Chicago and the first production model all-electric school bus in the US. Motiv is backed by Magness Ventures and has received grant funding from the California Air Resources Board.
“For 27 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what's possible in the future,” said Cliff Ransom, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What's New Award is the magazine's top honor, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants – each a revolution in its field.”
The basis for Motiv's win is the ePCS, a single platform that can electrify any truck or bus chassis with a variety of commercially-available battery packs and motors that are upgradable over time. The ePCS is installed instead of an engine and transmission on new incomplete chassis such as the Ford E450, as a ship-through modification. This process, common in the truck industry, is similar to a Compressed Natural Gas ship-through modification and means minimal changes between the fossil fuel and electric versions of the final vehicle. Existing truck and bus builders who already use these incomplete chassis can build and sell electric versions of their existing truck and bus models. Motiv currently partners with Trans Tech Bus to provide the electric version of its Class-A school buses, Ameritrans Bus to provide an electric commercial shuttle bus and Cumberland Servicecenter to provide the 30-ton electric refuse trucks to the City of Chicago.
“We're thrilled to see our technology recognized with such a prestigious award,” said Motiv Founder and CEO Jim Castelaz. “Both the challenge of electrifying the trucking industry and the market opportunities are quite large. We've accomplished some impressive milestones this year in our goal to help fleets reduce their emissions. This award affirms that we are on the right track.”
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year, breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their industries. Best of What's New awards are presented in 12 categories: Aerospace, Automotive, Engineering, Entertainment, Gadgets, Green, Hardware, Health, Home, Recreation, Security and Software. The winners are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds electric Powertrain Control Systems (ePCS) for the commercial transportation industry. Truck and bus builders use the ePCS to create all-electric versions of existing vehicles types, such as box trucks, flat-/stake-bed trucks, refrigerated trucks, utility/service trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks. For more information, please visit motivtrucks.com
About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.3 million and 6.8 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what's new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Bonnier Active Media, a subsidiary of Bonnier Corporation.
Test rides for the public available for the first time at HTUF Conference in Chicago September 23, 2014
FOSTER CITY, Calif. — The City of Chicago is now home to the first and only all-electric garbage truck in North America. Designed by Motiv Power Systems, the Electric Refuse Vehicle, or ERV, was made possible using Motiv's modular, plug-and-play electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) technology and in collaboration with Chicago's existing refuse truck vendors. The City of Chicago is currently running the Motiv ERV on different residential refuse and recycling routes of up to 60 miles, saving 2,688 gallons a year. The public will be able to ride in the ERV for the first time at the CALSTART High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum or HTUF, Ride and Drive event in Chicago on September 23, 2014.
“We are constantly looking to modernize and improve the City's fleet operations through environmentally conscious choices,” said David Reynolds, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management. “The City in a Garden is proud to be home to North America's first all-electric refuse and recycling truck, and we look forward to examining how this truck can boost efficiency, reduce emissions and save tax payer dollars in the future.”
To supply Chicago with North America's first all-electric garbage truck, Motiv Power Systems won the competitive contract in 2012, against two other companies in the semi-final round. Motiv has emerged as the leader in electric trucks with its scalable ePCS, and was recently recognized in the 2104 Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies rankings as 12th in Energy and 241st overall.
The first ERV, delivered earlier this year, is one of an estimated 20 that could be built within the exclusive 5-year purchase order. The development and production of the Motiv ERV was facilitated through a Department of Energy grant to the City of Chicago.
“While Motiv did not have an ERV at that time, our ePCS was installed on other truck types, and we leapt at the chance to use the ePCS on a significantly larger truck,” said Motiv Founder and CEO Jim Castelaz. “The Motiv ePCS's flexibility allows it to run on electric trucks as diverse as a Type A school bus to this ERV without costly powertrain redesigns.”
Chicago specified that this ERV must meet the demanding requirements placed on all of its garbage trucks. This included 60 mile range, a payload capacity of nine tons and 1000 pounds per cubic yard of compaction. These specifications make the ERV capable of use anywhere in Chicago. To supply enough electricity to move the truck and power the hydraulics all day, the ERV is equipped with 200 kilowatt-hours of energy, in ten battery packs. Full charge time is 8 hours using the Motiv Universal Fast Charger.
“Besides dramatically lower fuel and maintenance cost, value of the ERV goes beyond strict payback,” said Castelaz. “Each truck offsets over 55 barrels of petroleum and 23 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Plus, no one wants large, noisy truck engines idling next to their house at 6 am when they could have clean, and quieter ERV's keeping the morning peace instead.”
This ERV was built using a Loadmaster 20 cubic yard rear loader body – the exact same model of body used on other City of Chicago refuse trucks. The chassis, manufactured by Crane Carrier, was furnished by Cumberland Servicenter.
“By developing our electric trucks in collaboration with existing diesel truck manufacturers, we build vehicles that are just as tough and capable as the diesel versions these partners build,” said John Knudtson, VP Business Development at Motiv. “We are leveraging the expertise of existing truck manufacturers. They can offer electric options of their existing trucks, to their existing customers, and service them with their existing infrastructure. The Chicago ERV is illustrative of this unique business model and is applicable throughout the US in many different truck segments.”
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds electric Powertrain Control Systems (ePCS) for the commercial transportation industry. Truck and bus builders use the ePCS to create all-electric versions of existing vehicles types, such as box trucks, flat-/stake-bed trucks, refrigerated trucks, utility/service trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks. For more information, please visit motivtrucks.com
Media Contacts:
For Motiv Power Systems
Technica Communications
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
lpinkerton@technicacommunications.com
408-806-9626
