First ZeroTruck goes to the city of Santa Monica

Electric drive seems to be a big thing in Santa Monica, California. Drive around town for a while and you will likely see more Tesla Roadsters running around than anywhere else in the world. Now, the city itself is getting in on the act by placing the first order for a medium duty truck from ZeroTruck. The new truck will be used by the city water department as a service vehicle.

Electrorides claims the ZeroTruck will deliver a 100-mile range from its lithium ion battery pack. Drive comes from a UQM PowerPhase 100 motor. The ZeroTruck is based on an Isuzu N series cab-forward chassis. So far, there is no indication of how much the city is paying for this first truck or when it will take delivery. Fleet service applications like this are the ideal first jobs for electrification, since the limited range should be far less of an issue. The truck could even be plugged in while on a job site to help top-off the battery. For more on the truck, read this.

[Source: Electrorides]


PRESS RELEASE:

City of Santa Monica Continues Its 'Clean Leadership'

ORDERS FIRST US BUILT COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC ZEROTRUCK

LOS ANGELES, June 19 -- The City of Santa Monica has purchased the first ZeroTruck all-electric zero emission medium duty truck. The vehicle will be equipped with a Scelzi utility body for use in the City of Santa Monica. Fleet Superintendent Rick Sikes explains what this means for the City's fleet: "This truck meets the needs of our Water Division and the goals of our Sustainable City Plan to reduce emissions and reduce our use of petroleum. A zero emission medium-duty truck is something that has never been available to us until now."

The ZeroTruck is an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis and is the only US built electric truck offered for sale in the United States in 2009. The ZeroTruck offers a low cab forward design, a fully automated transmission, up to 100-mile range with full highway capability, advanced lithium batteries, an onboard battery charger, regenerative braking, and powered by a UQM(R) PowerPhase(R) 100 advanced electric motor. Delivery will be through South Bay Truck Center of Carson, CA (a ZeroTruck dealer).

Electrorides CEO Tedd Abramson states, "The vehicle is a realistic solution for fleets to go "zero emission" and will be used for evaluation and demonstration to other state and local governments who are expected to continue to reduce emissions with the number one choice, electric. By encouraging fleets to go zero-emission with future vehicle purchases makes sense and we commend the SCAQMD and Santa Monica for taking leadership positions with the plug-in electric/zero emission approach."

Electrorides electric drive integration system (EDIS) converts class (3-5) trucks to run on electric power with a highway speed of 55 mph, and up to 100 miles per battery charge using lithium polymer battery technology. This range is ideal for the medium-duty market, as most usage for this type of vehicle is less than 100 miles/day using dozens of body configurations.

The ZeroTruck is currently listed on the GSA buy list under alternative fueled vehicles.

ELECTRORIDES, INC., based in Southern California, is a developer and producer of commercial electric trucks for public and private fleet operators.