Arizona-based EV start-up Atlis Motor Vehicles has struck a new supply deal that will help it build its first electric ute that is due to arrive on Australian shores in 2023.
Atlis says its MOU with Schwab Industries will give it access to its so-called “Body-in-White manufacturing process” for the proposed XT electric pickup truck (or ute).
“Schwab’s full-service stamping, assemblies, and fabrication is exactly what we need to begin production to meet our launch goals of late 2022,” said Mark Hanchett, CEO and founder of Atlis.
“Body-in-White” refers to the manufacturing stage at which a vehicle body’s frame has been joined together but before any of the painting is done or the major drive components have been integrated with the structure.
This allows Atlis to focus on its three primary businesses – batteries and charging; its XP electric vehicle platform, and the XT Electric ute. Once the bed and cab of the XT Electric Pickup are completed by Schwab, final assembly will take place at Atlis.
The XT will have ranges of 480-kilometres, 645-kilometres, and 800-kilometres, depending on the battery size, and has already attracted big interest in Australia, where importer and distributor AusMV says it will purchase nearly 20,000 XT Electric Pickups through to 2023.
Expected to arrive in Australia in 2023, the Atlis XT boasts specs including a 15-tonne trailer towing on a gooseneck, an 8-feet long bed, either single or dual motor with up to 447kW and 600hp peak power, more than 16,000Nm of torque, and acceleration from 0-100km/h in under 5 seconds.
The Atlis XT will also come with four 120V outlets in the bed, one 240V outlet, two USB A ports, two USB C ports, and a compressed air outlet.
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.