North American specialty vehicle company Shyft Group debuted the Blue Arc EV Solutions – a brand to address the various requirements of the evolving electromobility market. The announcement was made at NTEA Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, a press release from the group says.
In its debut, the new electromobility brand makes a trio of initial offerings—first – a commercial-grade purpose-built EV chassis. Secondly, an all-electric Class 3 delivery walk-in van. And lastly, a fully portable, remote-controlled charging station – the Power Cube.
“We created Blue Arc not just for companies looking to evolve their parcel delivery fleets to electric power, but for the people – for our customers and the drivers,” said Shyft CEO Daryl Adams. “Blue Arc is the electric mobility company that can deliver end-to-end holistic EV solutions and meet sustainability and performance goals with a full ecosystem of electric-powered solutions. We are ready to charge ahead and bring the EV promise to reality for future generations.”
North Carolina-based Randy Marion Dealer Group will be the first dealer in the U.S. to offer the new Blue Arc Class 3 delivery EV from Shyft.
All-new EV chassis from Blue Arc
Shyft’s proprietary battery-powered chassis is an all-new design built from scratch to accommodate the diverse duty-cycle demands of commercial vehicles.
It features customizable length and wheelbase, making it well-suited to serve a wide range of medium-duty trucks and end-uses.
With its modular design, the chassis will accommodate multiple weight ratings and classifications, based on build-out and application.
The lithium-ion battery packs provide an approximate range of 241 to 281 km. However, range extension options are also available with extra batteries.
With a high degree of configurability, the all-electric chassis is adaptable. From last-stage delivery logistics, work truck, mass transit, recreational vehicle to other emerging EV markets.
The Blue Arc delivery van
Designed for high-frequency, last-stage delivery fleets, the Blue Arc delivery van is an all-electric battery-powered Class 3 commercial delivery vehicle.
Its spacious cargo area features approximately 18 to 22.65 cubic meters of storage. Also, it offers a choice of vocational packages specifically designed for functionality.
The lightweight aluminum and composite body design offer higher durability against scratches and dents.
Additionally, the delivery van features an integrated solar roof package. Its lightweight aluminum honeycomb shelving package is 79.37 kg lighter than today.
These vehicles range from 35.56 cm-45.72 cm in length and payload capacity of up to 2268 kg. As a result, the customers can maximize productivity and minimize the cost of ownership, including fuel and maintenance costs.
Blue Arc plans to integrate the latest in the proven vehicle and driver safety technologies in the vehicles. It will include 360° cameras, large in-dash HD camera displays, lane departure and proximity sensors, and keyless/ automated entry.
Blue Arc Power Cube
The Blue Arc ecosystem also includes the Power Cube, a fully portable remote-controlled charging station. With the onboard energy storage, it can serve a variety of commercial vehicle needs.
Firstly, understanding that lack of EV infrastructure is one of the roadblocks to adoption, the Power Cube offers a unique solution. It can provide a mobile, customizable, commercial-grade EV charger that does not need a connection to the grid.
The Power Cube has a fast and flexible deployment model that’s customizable for customer needs with varying configurations. This unique solution carries power onboard and can have vehicles up and charged in 1-2 hours.
Moreover, it is also sustainable, supplemented with wind and solar power with panels that track the sun for maximum exposure and charging.
Lastly, vehicle prototypes are expected to reach customers for route testing in the coming months, supported out of the Shyft R&D facility in Plymouth, Mich. Shyft expects to begin building the chassis and electric delivery vans at a plant in the southeastern United States by mid-2023.
