Blue Arc EV Solutions has made its debut alongside a trio of initial product offerings—a commercial grade EV chassis; an all-electric Class 3 delivery walk-in van; and a fully portable, remote-controlled charging station, the Power Cube. Shyft’s proprietary battery-powered chassis features customizable length and wheelbase, making it well-suited to serve a wide range of medium-duty trucks and end uses, the company noted. It’s an all-new design built from the ground up to accommodate the usage and duty-cycle demands of commercial vehicles.
The chassis’ modular design will accommodate multiple weight ratings and classifications, based on build-out and usage. The lithium-ion battery packs provide an approximate range of 150 to 175 miles with the opportunity to enhance range through expanded battery options. With a high degree of configurability, the all-electric chassis is adaptable to last-mile delivery, work truck, mass transit, recreational vehicle and other emerging EV markets.
According to the company, the Blue Arc delivery van is a 100% battery-powered Class-3 electric commercial delivery vehicle, designed for high-frequency, last-mile delivery fleets. A cargo area features 635-800 cubic feet of storage and offers a choice of vocational packages specifically designed for functionality. The delivery van also features an integrated solar roof package and lightweight aluminum honeycomb shelving package 175lbs lighter than today. The lightweight aluminum and composite body design offer higher durability against scratches and dents. With vehicles ranging from 14’ to 18’ in length and a payload capacity of up to 5,000 lbs., Shyft customers can maximize productivity and minimize cost of ownership, including fuel and maintenance costs.
Blue Arc plans to integrate the latest in proven vehicle and driver safety technology such as 360° cameras, large in-dash HD camera displays, lane departure and proximity sensors, and keyless and automated entry. Designed with the driver’s comfort and productivity in mind, the delivery van is easy to drive and easy to enter and exit for last-mile deliveries with multi-stop routes.
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.
The Blue Arc ecosystem also includes the Power Cube, a fully portable remote-controlled charging station with onboard energy storage to serve a variety of commercial vehicle needs. Understanding that lack of EV infrastructure is one of the roadblocks to adoption, the Power Cube offers a unique solution, providing a mobile, customizable, commercial grade EV charger that does not need to be connected to the grid. It 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. The Power Cube is also sustainable, supplemented with wind and solar power with panels that track the sun for maximum exposure and charging.
