The Shyft Group introduced Blue Arc EV Solutions, a new go-to-market brand with a trio of initial product offerings this week at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
“We created Blue Arc not just for companies looking to evolve their parcel delivery fleets to electric power, but for the people – for our customers and the drivers,” says Shyft Group CEO Daryl Adams. “Blue Arc is the electric mobility company that can deliver end-to-end holistic EV solutions and meet sustainability and performance goals with a full ecosystem of electric-powered solutions. We are ready to charge ahead and bring the EV promise to reality for future generations.”
In releasing the new brand, Shyft Group also introduced an industry-first commercial grade purpose-built EV chassis, a fully reimagined from the ground up all-electric Class 3 delivery walk-in van, and a fully portable, remote-controlled charging station, the Power Cube™.
North Carolina-based Randy Marion Dealer Group will be the first dealer in the U.S. to offer Shyft’s new all electric Class 3 delivery vehicle.
“We’re extremely excited to offer Blue Arc EV solutions to our customers,” says Brad Sigmon, vice president of sales, Randy Marion Automotive Group. “The EV walk-in delivery van is going to be one-of-a-kind in the market because nobody else currently has the capability to manufacture both the chassis and the bodies like Blue Arc.”
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. It’s an all-new design built from the ground up to accommodate the usage and duty-cycle demands of commercial vehicles, the company says.
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“I am extremely proud of the Blue Arc team that has engineered this ecosystem of EV products from the ground up leveraging years of experience in the last mile industry,” says Eric Fisher, vice president and general manager, Blue Arc EV Solutions. “This all-new EV chassis and delivery van offers purpose-built, customer-focused work trucks that increase speed, efficiency and impact on our customers’ bottom line.”
The chassis’ modular design will accommodate multiple weight ratings and classifications, based on build-out and usage. Shyft Group says 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.
Shyft Group adds the Blue Arc delivery van is a 100 percent battery-powered Class-3 electric commercial delivery vehicle, designed for high-frequency, last-mile delivery fleets. A spacious 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 175 lb., lighter than today. Shyft Group says the lightweight aluminum and composite body design offer higher durability against scratches and dents. With vehicles ranging from 14 to 18 ft., in length and a payload capacity of up to 5,000 lb., Shyft says 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, the company says. 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 says it 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, Shyft Group says 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, the company says.
The Shyft Group plans to debut the Blue Arc Power Cube next month and it says more information will be available soon.
