Growing US commercial vehicle rental platform Fluid Truck has ordered 600 new trucks to be provided by electric powertrain provider Lightning Systems, and which will include electric trucks under the Ford and Hino brands.
Fluid Truck, founded in 2016, operates in six US states and enables small- and mid-sized businesses and consumers to rent commercial vehicles through their mobile phones in only a few minutes.
Lightning Systems designs and manufacturers all-electric powertrains for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles – including Class 3 cargo and passenger vans to Class 6 work trucks, Class 7 city buses, and Class 8 motor coaches.
So far, the company currently offers all-electric powertrains for the Ford Transit 350HD passenger and cargo vans, Ford E-450 shuttle bus and cutaway models, Ford F-59 step/food van, Ford F-550 cargo trucks and buses, Chevrolet 6500XD Low Cab Forward model, and 30-foot, 35-foot, and 40-foot transit buses.
Fluid Truck’s order for 600 electric trucks will include an unspecified number of Lightning Electric Ford Transit 350HD delivery vans, Lightning Electric Ford E-450 Class 4 trucks, and Lightning Electric HINO 268 Class 6 trucks.
“We are excited to work with Lightning Systems,” said James Eberhard, CEO, and founder of Fluid Truck. “We believe that electric vehicles will be a great solution for businesses to get the job done sustainably.”
Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning Systems, said there is rising demand for electric vehicles from commercial customers who have sustainability requirements for their fleets.”
“Cities also are beginning to designate ‘zero-emission zones,’ such as those in London and Santa Monica,” Reeser added. “We see that trend continuing, which will further increase the demand for commercial EVs, including rental vehicles, in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.”
In addition to the 600 new electric trucks to be available through Fluid Truck’s rental platform, Lightning Systems is also working with Fluid to facilitate trial use and demonstrations with 100 of their own all-electric vehicles in several major US cities.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.