#ACTexpo Round-up 3- REE, Lion Electric, Star Charge, Evolectric, Geotab, Rivian, ZF, Clarience, PowerFlex, Oshkosh & Range Electric

There are more announcements today from ACT Expo. Companies that made announcements include
at made announcements include REE, Lion Electric, Star Charge, Evolectric, Geotab, Rivian, ZF, Clarience, PowerFlex, Oshkosh and Range Electric.

REE Next-Gen P7-S Stripped in Vegas

REE Automotive Ltd. (Nasdaq: REE), an automotive technology company and provider of full by-wire electric trucks and platforms, today revealed the next generation of its P7-S stripped chassis at ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The P7-S is on display for fleets and OEMs in REE’s booth #3723. The class 5 chassis was created in collaboration with a leading delivery fleet, designed to increase delivery efficiencies and improve fleet management. Customer delivery of the first next-gen P7-S demo will take place in June 2024.

P7-S utilizes the P7 REEcorners®, making it a full by-wire chassis, and is part of the P7 program that allows for flexibility in dimensions and ultimate design freedom for fleets and body builders to develop their own purpose-built EVs such as step-vans, box trucks and vocational-specific electric vehicles. The P7-S is a full by-wire EV with both front and rear cabin configuration boosting fleet utilization and OEM compatibility.

By using the P7 REEcorners®, the P7-S shares service and operational similarities with the P7-C which are designed to improve total cost of ownership (TCO) and spare-parts inventory management. In addition to the P7-S stripped chassis, REE offers a certified P7-C chassis cab that is eligible for U.S. federal tax credits and when combined with state incentives could reach up to $100,000 per vehicle.

The current Powered by REE® lineup offers three ways for OEM and fleet owners to upgrade existing EVs to full by-wire, software driven technology; by incorporating REEcorners® into their vehicles, building an electric truck on the P7-S stripped chassis, or ordering a certified P7-C cab chassis. All options allow fleets and OEMs to reduce their time to market while still allowing for a made-to-order product rather than an off-the-shelf truck.

“From the start, we have been attuned to the voice of the customer and therefore decided to design our products with fleets in mind, by working directly with them during the design process to create the best electric truck or chassis they need,” said Daniel Barel, CEO and co-founder of REE Automotive. “Based on our flagship P7 REEcorners®, we can proliferate in a rapid and cost-effective manner our modular offering, while creating exactly what the fleets want rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach. REE is working with the fleets or OEMs to bring to market a vehicle quickly and with minimal CapEx investment, and solidifying this through validation from a leading delivery fleet is a testament to our go-to-market strategy.”

Due to the modularity and scalability enabled by REEcorners®, P7-S can be customized to meet the customer need including class (4-5), driver position, batteries, wheelbase and rear overhang.

P7-S Available Specifications:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): Class 4 (16,000 lbs) or Class 5 (18,300 lbs)
Length: 234 to 341 inches
Track width: 83.1 inches
Wheelbase: 157.5 to 236.2 inches
Battery: 84-168 kWh
Range: up to 210 miles
Platform height: 24 inches
Payload: up to 10,000 lbs
Turning diameter: min 39 ft

To schedule a meeting with REE’s sales team while at the show, visit https://ree.auto/event/act-expo-2/.

Lion Electric Lion8 Tractor All-Electric 8

The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) (“Lion” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, unveiled today the Lion8 Tractor, an all-electric Class 8 commercial truck, during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, one of the largest conference and trade shows highlighting the most advanced transportation technologies and clean fuels available in the marketplace today.

“The Lion8 Tractor embodies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of possibility in modern freight transportation,” stated Marc Bedard, CEO-Founder of Lion. “We are thrilled to introduce a vehicle that not only meets but surpasses the rigorous demands of today’s transportation needs as it sets a new standard in the EV truck market, combining performance, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Our purpose-built electric vehicles stand as the cornerstone of our vision for a sustainable future.”

Setting New Standards For An Unmatched Performance

Engineered for unparalleled performance and operational efficiency, the Lion8 Tractor, which is expected to be commercially available mid-2024, emerges as the industry frontrunner with the highest gross combination weight rating (GCWR) in the EV truck sector, boasting up to 127,000 lbs.

With a battery capacity of up to 630 kWh (Lion’s Heavy-Duty battery packs), providing a range of up to 275 miles (440 kilometers), the Lion8 Tractor is meticulously designed for both power and endurance. Charging to 80% SOC (state of charge) at max power can be accomplished in approximately 1.5 hours, ensuring maximum productivity.

Featuring a 6×4 axle configuration with two integrated 2-speed eAxles, the Lion8 Tractor ensures optimized power distribution and efficiency. Its Lion-engineered cab-forward provides optimal driver visibility and maneuverability and sets the Lion8 Tractor as the new benchmark for electric freight transportation.

The Lion8 Tractor is not only powerful. It is also intelligent, thanks to its high-energy-density proprietary 750V battery system and its standard Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) compatibility. Furthermore, additional features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and an onboard weighing system further enhance its safety and operational efficiency.

Revolutionizing Industry Through Experience and Innovation

With over 15 years dedicated to the development of all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, Lion stands at the forefront of the industry. The launch of the Lion8 Tractor at the ACT Expo underscores Lion’s commitment to leading the transition to zero-emission transportation with the broadest portfolio of Class 5-8 electric commercial vehicles in North America. Lion has more than 2,000 vehicles on the road, with over 25 million miles driven (over 40 million kilometers).

As with all of Lion’s products, fleets customers considering the Lion8 Tractor have direct access to the Lion Customer Success team, who are experts in supporting the transition to zero emissions and maximizing customer operational success. The support extends from charging infrastructure with LionEnergy, financing assistance with LionCapital Solutions and funding support services provided by the LionGrants team, to driver/maintenance/safety training from LionAssistance and proprietary EV telematics with LionBeat.

Star Charge Triton Dispenser & Nova Cabinet

Star Charge Americas Corporation, a leading provider of EV charging and energy storage solutions, will be unveiling its latest innovations this at ACT Expo in Las Vegas, NV. The conference is from May 20th until the 23rd, and announcements will include their highly anticipated Triton dispenser and Nova cabinet.

Identifying the Fleet Electrification Pain Points

Fleet managers often grapple with the complexities of charging vehicles at scale. This includes accommodating variable duty cycles, maximizing asset utilization, and minimizing peak charging and demand costs. The combination of the Star Charge Triton dispenser and Nova power cabinet aims to solve these issues in an economical package available to fleet operators.

Introducing Triton and Nova: The Future of Charging

Unlike traditional integrated or split-type chargers, Triton offers a hanging installation option with a hanging cable management system, providing unprecedented flexibility and convenience. This unit can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, or even gantry mounted.

Removing charging dispensers from the ground is good for HSSE considerations and allows for more compact parking situations under a gantry, in parking garages, or in distribution centers. This distributed solution will be paired with a 720kW cabinet with 12 outputs that can feed each Triton dispenser from 40kW to 200kW of power. This allows slower overnight charging and opportunity charging on the same system, reducing the need for separate EVSE equipment for different roles.

Key Features of Triton

**Smart O&M** Remote monitoring, diagnosis, and firmware Over-The-Air (OTA) upgrading capabilities (OCPP1.6j with OCPP 2.0.1 coming Q3).

**Scalable for the Future** Supports up to 12 charge ports per power cabinet, with the ability to expand by adding additional cabinets. Compatible with solar power, energy storage, and energy management systems.

**Space-saving** Given its compact design, Triton’s dispensers can be mounted off the ground, minimizing their footprint and maximizing space efficiency.

Special Guest Appearance

At the ACT Expo, Star Charge is thrilled to announce a special guest appearance by renowned YouTuber Kyle from Out of Spec, who will engage in a deep conversation on how our fleet solution works, providing valuable insights for attendees.

TCI Transportation & Evolectric Conversions

TCI Transportation, a leading provider of lease and rental solutions for commercial vehicles, has embarked on a significant partnership with Evolectric, a pioneer in electric vehicle conversion technology. This collaboration underscores TCI’s commitment to sustainability by integrating cutting-edge, environmentally friendly vehicles into its fleet.

John Sappington, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at TCI Transportation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are excited to add the new Evolectric trucks to our lease and rental fleet. These vehicles are lighter than most in their class, allowing for greater payload. Built on the familiar Isuzu N-Series chassis, they ensure easy servicing by our technicians, enhancing overall operational efficiency,” he stated. “Our customers are set to benefit immensely from Evolectric’s innovative CircularEVs.”

The first Evolectric truck has already been delivered to TCI, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative collaboration. Evolectric’s Co-CEO and CFO, Jakson Alvarez, shared his vision for the partnership, “Our collaboration with TCI Transportation is a pivotal step towards scaling up our reach and delivering dependable, world-class commercial EV conversions. Our CircularEV solution is designed to be scalable, reliable, and accessible, ensuring that we meet the diverse needs of fleet owners worldwide.”

The partnership was cemented with a Letter of Intent signed by John Sappington, outlining the future roadmap for collaboration between the two companies with at least 100 vehicles including the features for future class 6 and 7 trucks. Additionally, TCI Transportation and Evolectric will jointly showcase their latest technologies and models at the upcoming ACT show this May, providing an opportunity for industry stakeholders to witness the innovative solutions first-hand.

TCI Transportation proudly participated in the grand opening of Evolectric’s new headquarters in Rancho Dominguez, California. The event showcased Evolectric’s ambitious plans to convert 100,000 vehicles per year to electric using a decentralized service network. TCI’s involvement highlights its proactive role in supporting innovative solutions in fleet electrification and its commitment to embracing sustainable technologies in its operations.

TCI Transportation continues to lead the way in sustainable transportation solutions, exemplified by the inclusion of Kalmar TX electric yard tractors in their fleet. These state-of-the- art electric vehicles underscore TCI’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental efficiency in yard operations. The electric yard tractors represent a significant step forward in TCI’s green initiatives, reflecting their broader commitment to eco-friendly business practices.

Beyond electric vehicles, TCI Transportation has embraced numerous green initiatives, prioritizing long-term environmental stewardship. These initiatives include successful deployments of solar technology, LED lighting, and the use of Renewable Natural Gas and Renewable Diesel. These efforts demonstrate TCI’s dedication to positively impacting the planet and the communities it serves, ensuring cleaner air and a more sustainable future.

Integrated Geotab Data in Rivian

Geotab, a global leader in connected transportation solutions and Rivian, today announced a partnership to deliver an Integrated Data Solution for Rivian’s commercial vehicles in North America. The collaborative solution, announced at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, will utilize embedded telematics in Rivian’s commercial vehicles to enable the seamless integration of vehicle data into the MyGeotab™ platform. With access to one unified and easy-to-use dashboard, fleet managers can view their data and measure key insights to help optimize fleet performance and improve mobility.

Rivian’s embedded telematics and Geotab’s fleet management services will enable fleets to improve productivity, compliance and safety. With no additional hardware or installation required, fleets can also reduce costs and maximize uptime, boosting profitably and increasing efficiency.

“Access to advanced data analytics and AI is rapidly advancing the world of connected transportation with positive benefits to the bottom line, safety, performance and sustainability,” said Rob Minton, Associate Vice President of Connected Car Development at Geotab. “You hear a lot about the coming of the software defined vehicle. The combination of Rivian’s rich sensor data capabilities accessed via the Geotab platform makes it a reality. Not only are fleets getting a technology-rich electric commercial vehicle, the Geotab and Rivian collaboration will supply fleets with a connected solution that is simple to activate, cost-effective and will help fleet managers better manage their fleets through real, quality data insights.”

“Rivian is excited to add Geotab to its growing ecosystem of strategic fleet management partners,” said Brandon Blumber, Director – Business Development, Rivian. “Rivian has developed a truly software-defined vehicle and has access to unique attributes and analytics that simply do not exist in the industry today. Through strategic partnerships, our commercial customers can leverage this rich data, advanced insights, and analytics to increase fleet uptime, optimize vehicle performance and reduce total cost of ownership – all without the need of additional hardware on the vehicle.”

The solution will be compatible with all commercial connected Rivian vehicles in the U.S.

ZF & Clarience Data Sharing

Clarience Technologies and ZF have announced a strategic alliance to improve fleet performance through comprehensive product performance data sharing. This collaboration will enable both companies to leverage each other’s telematics data from their respective solutions and access component-level data, fostering enhanced operational insights and efficiencies for fleet operators. The announcement was made in conjunction with the opening of the 2024 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, an event that brings together industry leaders and key stakeholders in the transportation industry to discuss the new and emerging technologies that are coming to commercial transportation.

“We are thrilled to embark on this strategic alliance with ZF, as it underscores our commitment to providing unparalleled value to our customers,” said Nada Jiddou, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Clarience Technologies. “By sharing data sources between companies, our analytical models can more quickly find the relevant insights in the data that will drive operational excellence and enhance fleet performance.”

“ZF is pleased to partner with Clarience Technologies in the telematics space making our collective suite of products, services, and related insights available to our shared customer base,” said Benjamin Brown, Vice President and Head of Trailer OEM & Digital Sales, ZF. “Our companies share a common vision to simplify the end-user experience by reducing complexity to OEMs, fleets, and service shops alike which ultimately will help increase efficiency for all involved.”

Under this alliance, fleet customers of Clarience Technologies will gain access to critical information on ZF brands, including WABCO brakes, brake controllers, sensors measuring brake pad wear, and ABS system data. This product performance data will be seamlessly integrated into Clarience Technologies’ proprietary Fus1on platform, the robust software system that powers its Road Ready telematics business today. ZF fleet customers will have access to telematics data originating from Clarience Technologies’ Road Ready trailer telematics solution, along with tire and wheel end health solutions from P.S.I. ZF customers will access data from Clarience Technologies brands through SCALAR, the proprietary fleet data platform developed by ZF.

Commercial fleets are not the only ones who will benefit from this alliance as truck and trailer manufacturers should also expect to gain new insights into fleet performance. By integrating telematics and component-level data from both companies, OEMs gain valuable insights into the performance and health of their vehicles and components throughout the vehicle lifecycle, which will ultimately help OEMs enhance product development, improve design efficiency, and anticipate maintenance needs. OEMs may even be able to leverage this partnership to strengthen aftermarket service and support through enhanced monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions.

The initial phase of integration is projected to be completed by the second half of 2024, marking a significant milestone in advancing fleet management capabilities. Both companies will be exhibiting at the 2024 ACT Expo in Las Vegas May 20-23, 2024. Clarience Technologies is located in booth #3359, and ZF is located in booth #2503.

PowerFlex Partner Program

PowerFlex, a leader in clean technology solutions, announced the launch of its reseller partner program. The program is designed to make it easy and profitable for partners to sell PowerFlex’s electric vehicle (EV) charging software and solutions to their customers.

“We are excited to launch our reseller partner program and to be working with some of the leading companies in the EV charging industry,” said PowerFlex CEO, Raphael Declercq. “Clients see the value of bringing EV charging solutions to their facilities. With this program, we can provide our clients with the latest technology, seamless integration, and exceptional support, ensuring a smooth transition to electric mobility. Together, we are driving the future of sustainable transportation.”

The PowerFlex reseller partner program offers many benefits to partners, including:

  • No program fees to become a reseller
  • Cost-effective product to help actively sell EV charging software and solutions
  • Patented intelligent energy management system provides innovative charging management for small and large deployments of EV chargers
  • Essentials (less than 20) and Commercial subscriptions for PowerFlex X are right sized to customer needs and enable upselling opportunities
  • Inventory shipped from our warehouse to keep delivery times short
  • The PowerFlex team provides an account manager, end-to-end project support including sales & marketing collateral, training, and design reviews.

Partners can now offer comprehensive EV charging solutions and provide installation and maintenance services and their expertise in clean technology to their customers.

The PowerFlex reseller partner program is open to a variety of businesses, including:

  • Electrical contractors
  • Engineering, construction, and procurement firms
  • Renewables and EV charging developers
  • Commercial real estate firms
  • Engineering, construction & procurement firms
  • Parking management companies
  • Commercial developers and builders
  • Facility management companies

“We are thrilled to be a part of this reseller partner program for EV charging software and solutions,” said Brian McCormick, Director of Sales at Leading Charge. “This partnership allows us to meet our customers where they are today in their electrification journey, and it allows us to offer them a comprehensive and cutting-edge solution for their electric vehicle charging needs.”

To learn more about the PowerFlex reseller partner program, visit our website: https://www.powerflex.com/reseller-partner-program

Oshkosh Shows 2 Electrified Route-Based Vehicles

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of purpose-built vehicles and equipment, will showcase two electrified, route-based fleet vehicles in booth #2717 at ACT Expo in Las Vegas from May 20-23, 2024.

Oshkosh is leading the way in electrifying purpose-built, route-based commercial fleet vehicles. The Company has introduced industry-altering, electrified products in nearly every end market it serves (construction, fire apparatus, airport ground support equipment, refuse and recycling collection, defense and more). Two of these vehicles will be displayed in the Oshkosh exhibit: the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the McNeilus® Volterra™ ZSL™, a fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle.

  • Next Generation Delivery Vehicle: The NGDV is a modern, safe, and dependable vehicle that will connect every home and business across the United States. This American-made vehicle represents the innovation and reliability that mail carriers have anticipated.
  • The McNeilus® Volterra™ ZSL™: Is North America’s first fully integrated electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle (eRCV). It delivers exceptional ergonomic benefits and outstanding total cost of ownership. The Volterra ZSL eRCV features a driver-first design and technology to optimize ease of operation, safety, visibility, maneuverability and comfort. The vehicle has earned zero-emission certifications from the United States Environmental Protection agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

“Oshkosh is an industrial technology company driven by innovation – harnessing technology to support everyday heroes. The technology that we develop and implement into our vehicles enables people to do their jobs safer, more efficiently and more sustainably while enhancing overall performance. They are the fleet vehicles of the future,” said Jay Iyengar, executive vice president and chief technology and strategic sourcing officer, Oshkosh Corporation.

In addition, Oshkosh will be displaying a prototype high voltage (HV) power distribution unit (PDU) developed by its Pratt Miller business unit. The HV PDU is designed to deliver power to all critical loads within an electric vehicle (EV) system, including traction and auxiliary loads, while protecting electrical and electronic components and vehicle occupants with reliable circuit protection solutions.

To learn more about Oshkosh and its market leading brands, please visit booth #2717 at ACT Expo or oshkoshcorp.com today.

Range Electric Powered Trailers

Range Energy (Range), the company bringing powered trailers to the commercial trucking market, today debuted its next generation electric-powered trailer system, the RB-01, at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. The RB-01 is the next iteration in Range’s series of trailer systems with initial tests yielding 47-67 percent miles-per-gallon (mpg) improvements, equivalent to a 32-40 percent reduction in fuel costs. Notably, during its transit to ACT, the tractor towing the RB-01 achieved 18.1 mpg during the final 281.6 miles between Bakersfield, CA and Las Vegas, NV. The results from this trip included a 2,000-foot net elevation gain and 12,000 feet total of climbing with ambient temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

The electric-powered trailer system includes an e-axle, 200 or 300 kWh battery pack, and smart kingpin, and is built with hardware and software components that are sourced from Range’s supply chain partners. Improved results shown by the RB-01 highlight Range’s continued progression of its trailer system to ease the transition to electric for fleet owners and operators, and in doing so, significantly reduces emissions and improves the efficiency of fleets’ diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks in the near-term.

“Decarbonizing commercial transportation is reliant on companies like Range that can innovate quickly and efficiently as well as make an immediate operational impact without disruption,” said Ali Javidan, CEO and founder, Range. “The RB-01 represents a natural evolution in our technology development and continued efficiency and emissions reduction improvements that are critical today for the commercial transportation industry. We’re committed to trailers serving as the necessary gateway to electrification, but also being a long-term partner for fleets as they future-proof their operations.”

Range debuted its first 53-foot electric-powered trailer, the RA-01, in May 2023, which demonstrated up to 37 percent (+3.25) mpg gains. Range has also announced several customer pilots including DB Schenker and Dot Transportation Inc., underscoring notable commercial traction in the market thus far.

Range will be exhibiting and demoing the RB-01 at Booth #931 at the ACT Expo.