Lightning eMotors, provider of all-electric powertrains and medium-duty and specialty commercial electric fleet vehicles, announced an agreement with on-demand transit company RideCo to provide zero-emission passenger vans for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Under the agreement, Lightning eMotors will serve as the preferred zero-emission vehicle vendor for RideCo as it manages a fleet of vehicles for Metro Micro, a pilot program designed to provide fast and convenient rides within the service zones in Los Angeles County. Lightning eMotors will initially supply RideCo with 10 all-electric passenger vans. Several of those vehicles have already been delivered, and RideCo anticipates that all 10 will be transporting passengers around Los Angeles County by early next year.
In December 2020, Metro launched Metro Micro, a 100-vehicle on-demand microtransit service, to connect Angelenos in outlying areas and traditionally underserved communities with existing fixed-route bus and train network as well as accommodate short trips in the service zones. This project is currently piloting in seven zones across Los Angeles County, with one more service zone planned in December 2021.
Lightning eMotors’ vans are designed with 86 kWh of battery capacity which can transport nine passengers and the driver with plenty of cargo space for a range of approximately 120 miles, the company noted in a press release. Additionally, Lightning eMotors is providing the charging infrastructure to support the test fleet via its Lightning Energy division.
