What’s Happening: The Shyft Group, a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing in North America, announced that it has received an executive order of compliance from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its Blue Arc EV Solutions Class 3, 4, and 5 electric delivery vehicles.
Why It Matters: CARB compliance means that Blue Arc vehicles meet the strict emission standards set by CARB, contributing to cleaner air quality and a more sustainable platform for minimizing fleet impact on the environment. This compliance is a key milestone for Shyft and helps pave the way for Blue Arc vans to start production later this year, with sales in all 50 states.
Key Points:
- CARB confirmed a city driving range of 225 miles for Class 3 Blue Arc EVs, with three models offering 600, 700, or 800 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
- Class 4 and 5 EVs provide 700 to 1,000 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
- The new range benchmark enables customers to perform and even exceed daily last-mile delivery routes and cargo capacity requirements.
- Blue Arc vehicles support a greener future by meeting clean air requirements in every state.
- This announcement follows Shyft’s recent EPA testing results, which cited a range of up to 200 miles city/highway combined.
- Customers in states with zero-emission truck regulations can apply for and receive incentives.
Bottom Line: The Shyft Group’s Blue Arc electric delivery vehicles have received CARB compliance, signaling a significant step towards offering a robust EV solution that meets clean air requirements across the United States. The Blue Arc vehicles set a new benchmark for range in commercial EVs, providing customers with the assurance that they can comfortably perform daily last-mile delivery routes. With a $16-million investment in its Michigan campus, Shyft plans to begin production of the electric vehicles in the second half of 2023.