The city of Santa Monica has purchased the first 2009 model all electric truck built in the United States.  Named the ZeroTruck, its the only electric truck in production in the U.S. in 2009.

The truck will see use by city workers and is thus equipped for duty with a Scelzi utility body.  The medium duty electric truck has the underpinnings of and Isuzu N series vehicle, but it retrofitted with its EV hardware for zero emission use.

It has a range of 100 miles on a full charge and can travel capably at highway speeds.  With a low cab forward design, an automatic transmission, lithium-ion battery pack, regenerative braking, and a UQM PowerPhase 100 electric motor, the truck meets all of the requirements of a full electric vehicle and performs admirably in the city use environment.

The vehicle will be used as a test bed and evaluation project to see its feasibility for widespread use.  The program, if successful, will be a demonstration to other cities and local governments who strive to become zero emission fleets.

The vehicle is converted by Electrorides.  They install a system called electric drive integration system, shortened as EDIS.  This system sees use in class 3 to 5 truck and according to the company is ideally suited for all medium duty vehicle that see less than 100 miles of travel per day.  Electrorides in based in California and produces commercial electric trucks for both public and private fleet use.

Source:  Electrorides, Inc. Press Release

First US Built Electric Truck Enters Production - New Era For Trucks

ZeroTruck Ordered by City of Santa Monica for Water Services Dept

LOS ANGELES, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Superintendant 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 PowerPhase 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.

http://zerotruck.com

SOURCE Electrorides, Inc.