First U.S. Electric Truck - The ZeroTruck - Enters Production

And the prize for new product adoption goes to…the City of Santa Monica, CA for its purchase of the first ZeroTruck.

The ZeroTruck is an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck produced by Electrorides, a company focusing on bringing electric vehicle applications to market. The ZeroTruck is based on the Isuzu N series chassis and according to the company is the only U.S. built electric truck offered for sale in the United States in 2009.

Although the ZeroTruck has been tested in various markets. the City of Santa Monica is the first to actually purchase the truck. In the city’s application, the vehicle will be equipped with a Scelzi utility body. Fleet Superintendant Rick Sikes is excited about the technology and its applications for the city. “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.”

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Performance Specs of the ZeroTruck:

• Speed: 60 mph (limit programmed)
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 18 seconds
• Range: 65-75 miles city/highway
• Charge Time: Charge Time: 12 hours (220-240V)
• Fast Charge available through ETEC
• Cycle Life: 2500+ full charges
• LCD Touch Screen: Vehicle operations monitor - miles remaining, power consumption, each cells’ charge level, battery temperature, drive time, distance traveled, and average speed.

In addition, 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 and regenerative braking. The electric motor is an UQM PowerPhase 100. Delivery will be through South Bay Truck Center of Carson, CA and any maintenance will be handled by an Isuzu dealer.

Although to my knowledge California is the only state to have a zero-emissions program other states will probably follow. According to Tedd Abramson, Electrorides CEO, the ZeroTruck is a viable technology to meet current and future zero emissions legislation.

Abramson notes, “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.”

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