June 30, 2014

Motiv Power Systems Raises $7.3 Million for Electric Truck Powertrain Production

Magness Investment Group leads the financing to support Motiv's growing sales pipeline and expand production

FOSTER CITY, Calif.  — The electric truck leader and top supplier of control systems to the growing electric truck market, Motiv Power Systems, raised $7.3 million in growth capital from investors led by Colorado's Magness Investment Group. The funding comes as the second Motiv-equipped all-electric school bus is delivered to Kings Canyon Unified School District.

“Motiv has cracked the code on electric trucks,” said Gary Magness, Manager of the Magness Investment Group. “We are impressed with how Motiv's approach leverages the existing truck and bus builder ecosystem to achieve scalability. I'm pleased to be a part of this revolution in trucking that brings environmental sustainability and significant fuel savings to an industry that's the backbone of our economy.”

The Motiv electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) is unique in the industry as a single product suite that can electrify any truck or bus chassis with a variety of commercially-available battery packs and motors. The Motiv ePCS, battery packs and motor are installed to replace the engine and transmission of a new incomplete chassis such as the Ford E450 in 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.

“It's an honor to have the support of an investor like Mr. Magness,” said Motiv CEO Jim Castelaz.  “Not only does he see the potential in the market we are addressing, he understands our approach and believes in our vision of breaking the complete dependence trucks and buses currently have on fossil fuel.”

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-/stake-bed trucks, refrigerated trucks, utility/service trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks.

October 22, 2013

Trans Tech Bus and Motiv Power Systems Partner On New All-Electric School Bus

Type A electric (EV) school buses to reduce fuel and maintenance costs for school districts, while decreasing regional diesel particulate emissions

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — New all-electric Type A school buses will hit the road in 2014, due to a collaboration between Trans Tech Bus, and Motiv Power Systems. Called the SST-e, the first all-electric school bus developed in the partnership will go to Kings Canyon Unified School District, in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The bus is funded in part by the California Air Resources Board AB 118 Air Quality Improvement Program Electric School Bus Demonstration Project. The new SST-e bus will be revealed today at the 2013 National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Annual Summit in Grand Rapids, MI booth # 129.

The buses are built on Ford E450 chassis, utilizing the all-battery, all-chassis compatible Motiv electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS).The ePCS is installed as a Ford ship-through chassis modification similar to a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) modification, enabling minimal changes between the fossil fuel and electric versions of the school buses. Passenger capacity for the Trans Tech/Motiv SST-e all-electric school buses is up to 32 students for this Type A bus, or 24 students and 1 wheelchair.

“An electric bus can save a school district about 16 gallons of fuel a day, or around $11,000 in fuel savings over a year, not to mention maintenance savings,” said John Phraner President of Trans Tech. “We are very excited to continue to help school districts reduce their transportation budgets and are committed to opening the market for the all-electric school bus.”

The SST-e buses are built on Ford E450 chassis, using the Motiv ePCS, which is compatible with a wide variety of chassis and batteries. The ePCS allows buses to be compatible with any battery currently on the market or available in the future. Additionally, one pack can be replaced without replacing all the batteries on the vehicle. The new all-electric SST-e school buses are available with four or five battery packs, providing districts with range options of 80 or 100 miles.

With Motiv's onboard fast charging technology the buses can reach 50 percent charge in under an hour and full charge in 8 hours. Motiv's low-cost 3-phase fast charging, requires minimal building modifications and no expensive charging stations. The buses are also equipped with telemetry systems, providing real-time route data and preventive maintenance reports to fleet managers. The cloud stored data can be viewed on the web and on smart phones, helping them manage improved driver performance and safety management.

“Our system is battery agnostic, it ‘future-proofs' fleets against changes in the battery market, such as discontinued batteries or future improved technology,” said Jim Castelaz Founder and CEO of Motiv. “This makes a Motiv equipped bus the most flexible and customizable all-electric powertrain for trucks on the market. We are thrilled the ePCS will be assisting schools get the most out of their transportation dollars, while at the same time educating children on clean transportation.”

ABOUT TRANS TECH BUS

Trans Tech Bus (www.transtechbus.com) is a manufacturer of industry-leading conventional and environmentally-friendly type A school buses. Offering single and dual wheel models, Trans Tech Bus is known for its innovative and fuel efficient conversion designs. With a wide array of versatile floor plans, the company is able to meet ever-changing customer demand. Trans Tech Bus is a division of Transportation Collaborative Incorporated located near the New York metropolitan area in Warwick, NY and New York'sonly school bus manufacturer.

ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS

Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds a flexible electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for the commercial truck, bus and refuse industries.  Motiv's ePCS works with a wide variety of batteries and motors. This flexibility allows traditional truck chassis OEMs to assemble electric trucks on their current diesel truck assembly lines. Motiv's ePCS is available for medium and heavy duty commercial truck applications including box trucks, flat/stake beds, refrigerated trucks, utility/service bodies, shuttle buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks.

Media Inquiries:
For Trans Tech Bus:
Brian Barrington
bbarrington@transtechbus.com
845-988-0447

For Motiv: Technica Communications
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Lisaann@technicacommunications.com
408-806-9626

March 4, 2013

Motiv Power Systems Announces Supplier Partners in All-Electric Garbage Truck Contract with City of Chicago

Local Chicago dealers for Loadmaster and Crane Carrier providing Class 8 refuse truck components

FOSTER CITY, Calif.  — Ramping up the development of what is expected to be the first US all-electric Class 8 refuse truck, Motiv Power Systems has announced some of its vendor partners on the project.  The garbage truck body will be a Loadmaster 20 cubic yard Excel-S series, provided by RNOW Inc under municipal contract with the City of Chicago.  The chassis, manufactured by Crane Carrier, will be furnished by Cumberland Service Center another City of Chicago contracted dealer. Last November, Motiv was granted a contract up to $13.4 million to provide up to 20 EV refuse trucks for the City of Chicago. The scalability and flexibility of the Motiv electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) made the company the most cost-effective choice for the exclusive 5-year contract

Currently the only technology of its kind in the trucking market, the ePCS uses off-the-shelf batteries and motors, which can be mixed and matched to fit the exact size and duty cycle of the electric truck needed.  The ePCS can handle EV trucks from medium-duty to heavy-duty, weighing 15,000 lbs to 52,000 lbs.  Research suggests the ePCS design approach cuts operating costs by 50 percent over an eight-year period.  With its medium-duty pilot shuttle, Motiv reduced operating cost from 80 cents per mile ($0.80/mi) to 10 cents per mile ($0.10/mi).

“Motiv's approach to the refuse market is the same as in other medium and heavy-duty vehicle markets where we have worked before; find the best, most knowledgeable partners and build a team and product based on our combined expertise at a lower cost,” said Jim Castelaz, CEO of Motiv Power Systems.  “These partners enable us to deliver a vehicle to Chicago that is not a science project, but instead consists of industry-standard components with strong, experienced suppliers standing behind every aspect of the vehicle.”

ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS

Founded in 2009, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds a flexible electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for the commercial truck, bus and refuse industries.  Motiv's ePCS works with a wide variety of batteries and motors. This flexibility allows traditional truck chassis OEMs to assemble electric trucks on their current diesel truck assembly lines. Electric trucks equipped with Motiv's ePCS can offer up to 100 miles range depending on the configuration. Research shows electric trucks equipped with the Motiv ePCS hold a total cost of ownership 50% less than comparable diesel trucks over an 8 year period.  Motiv's ePCS is available for medium and heavy duty commercial truck applications including box trucks, flat/stake beds, refrigerated trucks, utility/service bodies,  shuttle buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks.  Motiv is located in Foster City, CA.

Media Inquiries:
Technica Communications

Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Lisaann@technicacommunications.com
(US) 408-806-9626

September 12, 2012

Motiv Power Systems Runs All-Electric Bus On Two Separate Battery Types

$0.10/mile operating cost and other all-electric bus data to be presented at HTUF 2012 in Charlotte, NC booth #516

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Over the past six months, Motiv Power Systems has successfully run its demo all-electric bus on two different off-the-shelf battery types, demonstrating the universal battery compatibility of its electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS).  This EV innovation reduces both time and expense in the design of new EV trucks and buses.  The bus clocked up to 125 miles on a single charge, with operating costs at $0.10/mile, 83% less than an equivalent diesel vehicle.  By using modular hardware and software reconfiguration, the ePCS eliminates time and cost related to engineering and testing for different battery configurations, making the ePCS a battery agnostic technology for any EV truck or bus.

Motiv CEO Jim Castelaz will present the full set of findings at HTUF 2012 the Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum in Charlotte, NC on September 18 (1:30–3:00 PM).  Motiv will display the all-electric demo bus in booth #516 September 18-19, and in the HTUF Ride and Drive on September 20.

Data to be presented at this session was acquired by the Motiv ePCS, using Motiv's Android-based Remote Telemetry System (RTS).  This RTS is unique to the industry as it provides real-time, secure, wireless data connectivity of the shuttle bus with the Motiv cloud.  The RTS monitors operations such as performance, battery charge, route, component health and vehicle status to provide detailed analytics to fleet operators for predictive maintenance and service.

“We are thrilled to show the EV truck industry this next generation of electric trucks and buses,” said Castelaz.  “The Motiv demo bus is the first all-electric vehicle to feature this level of detail in real-time monitoring, as well as function with two different sets of batteries in a single powertrain.  This demonstrates the mix-and-match component feature of the ePCS and allows for battery sets to be compared in real world environments.”

Rather than offer a single electric truck model with limited component selection, the Motiv ePCS works with a wide range of batteries, motors, and chassis.  This flexibility allows fleets to choose their battery vendors, as well as vehicle range and power.  Through its intelligent software control algorithms, Motiv's ePCS actively manages power flow between all electrical components in the vehicle.

“Our system takes the risk out of going electric for your medium-duty truck fleet,” said Castelaz.  “It's a system that supports the current diesel truck chassis OEM's ecosystem.  Fleets are free to spec the exact type of vehicle they want and work with their trusted chassis vendors.”

The Motiv demo bus was built for Bauer Transportation under an award from the California Energy Commission.

ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS
Founded in 2009, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds a flexible electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for the commercial truck and bus industries.  Motiv's ePCS works with a wide variety of batteries and motors.  This flexibility allows traditional truck chassis OEMs to assemble electric trucks on their current diesel truck assembly lines. Electric trucks equipped with Motiv's ePCS can offer over 100 miles range and a total cost of ownership 50% less than a diesel truck over an 8 year period.  Motiv's ePCS is available for commercial trucks, shuttle buses and delivery vehicles.  Motiv is located in Foster City, CA.

Media Inquiries:
Technica Communications
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
408-806-9626
Lisaann@technicacommunications.com

February 28, 2012

Motiv Power Systems Secures $1.16 Million California Energy Commission Grant, Demos New Battery-Electric Truck at Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Motiv electric truck utilizes traditional diesel truck assembly line infrastructure to accelerate EV adoption

SAN FRANCISCO — Motiv Power Systems, an innovator in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains for commercial trucks announced today the California Energy Commission (CEC) granted the company $1.16 million for an assembly line pilot run of four electric truck chassis in partnership with Detroit Chassis.  The grant will further validate Motiv's Electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS), which provides a 100-mile range and whose total cost of ownership is  approximately 50% less than a diesel powertrain over an 8 year period.  The company's new demonstration shuttle bus will be available for test drives at the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive event at the Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit, March 6-9 in Indianapolis, IN (booth #5666).

“A ‘mix and match' design is the future of the electric truck and we are thrilled to show the commercial trucking industry how ours works,” said Jim Castelaz, Founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems.  “Our ePCS design accommodates a wide variety of off-the-shelf batteries and components, allowing EV designers and truck chassis builders the flexibility to combine various components to meet a range of specifications without designing a new powertrain from scratch.”

Rather than offer a single electric truck model with limited component selection, Motiv's ePCS works with a wide range of batteries and motors.  This flexibility allows fleets to choose their battery vendors as well as vehicle range and power. Through its intelligent software control algorithms, Motiv's ePCS actively manages power flow between all electrical components in the vehicle.  It also captures and wirelessly broadcasts data to the Motiv “cloud” for monitoring and analysis.  Factors such as battery charge, vehicle status and health provide detailed real-time analytics to support fleet operators in preventive service maintenance.

“Vehicle fleet owners view electric vehicles as a way to reduce both their carbon emissions and their operating cost,” said John Formisano, Motiv Advisory Board Member and Chairman of CALSTART, a member supported organization dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry.  “High capital costs are often cited as the barrier to EV adoption. But Motiv's technology enables component flexibility and holds the potential to reduce the costs of EVs and allow electric trucks to become more mainstream.”

ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS

Founded in 2009, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds a flexible electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for the commercial electric truck.  Motiv's ePCS works with a wide variety of batteries and motors.  This flexibility allows traditional truck chassis builders to assemble custom electric chassis on their current diesel truck assembly lines. Electric trucks equipped with Motiv's ePCS can offer over 100 miles range and a total cost of ownership 50% less than a diesel truck over an 8 year period.  Motiv's ePCS is available for commercial trucks, shuttle buses and delivery vehicles.

Media Inquiries:
Technica Communications for Motiv Power Systems
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
650-288-1824
Lisaann@technicacommunications.com