Lightning eMotors to Begin Production of ZEV4 Work Trucks

Lightning eMotors announced a production launch of its next-generation General Motors (GM)-based Lightning ZEV4 work trucks.

The announcement follows the company’s recent announcements of accelerated ZEV4 production to meet customer demands for Class 4 school buses and shuttle buses built on the same popular platform.

Lightning is offering the ZEV4 for several vehicle applications, including but not limited to box trucks, stake bed trucks, utility trucks, dump bed trucks and daily work/landscaping trucks, in addition to cargo delivery vehicles, shuttle buses, school buses and more.

“Success in the commercial-vehicle electrification market frequently revolves around providing customized products to meet the specific use cases of customers. This is where we have carved our niche,” Lightning eMotors CEO Tim Reeser said. “The fact that our trusted ZEV4 platforms can be built to accommodate such a broad set of applications is a huge benefit to our customers and positions Lightning well to be the vehicle manufacturer of choice for the growing medium-duty commercial-vehicle market.”

The Lightning ZEV4 model comes equipped with 120-kWh batteries located safely within the frame rails, delivering 241 horsepower, 790 pound-feet of torque and up to 130 miles of range as well as improved weight distribution for better handling and improved safety, according to the company.

The Lightning ZEV4 is capable of Level 2 AC and 80-kW DC fast charging.

To help accelerate fleet-vehicle electrification efforts, the company noted that a number of state and federal level funding programs are available across North America to help offset the cost significantly.

“There has never been a better time for Class 4 work-truck operators to upgrade their fleets to zero-emission vehicle technology,” Lightning eMotors CRO Kash Sethi said. “Aggressive funding programs – many of which can be stacked to optimize both purchase subsidies and tax incentives – combined with advanced data tracking and insights capabilities and the reliability and proven performance of our GM-based Lightning ZEV4 create a near-perfect environment for operators to act.”

Lightning’s ZEV4 platform is compatible with a variety of bodies from manufacturers, including but not limited to Knapheide, Rockport Trucks, Brown Industries and Morgan Corporation. At current production volumes, ZEV4 work trucks are typically available for delivery four to six months from the order date.

SEMA member companies and automotive enthusiasts have come out in strong opposition to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) “Advanced Clean Cars II” (ACC II) regulation that would ban the sale of new internal combustion engine motor vehicles by 2035. Specialty aftermarket businesses and industry supporters sent over 5,000 letters to the U.S. EPA expressing opposition to the agency providing California a Clean Air Act waiver, which is required for ACC II to take effect. Industry and enthusiasts alike have united in opposition to California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that they said would adversely impact automotive businesses, their employees and millions of automotive enthusiasts.