Thanks to funding support from the California Energy Commission (CEC), Motiv Power Systems has opened a new manufacturing facility in Hayward, Calif.
At full capacity, the facility is anticipated to employ 20 workers and produce 480 all-electric powertrains annually. Motiv says the new plant will help continue the commercialization of its solutions and meet growing demand for electric trucks and buses across the U.S.
The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain upfit package is currently available for three truck and bus chassis: the Ford F-59, the Ford E-450 and Crane Carrier cabover Class 8 chassis. The company says the package includes all of the components needed to transform the chassis from fossil fuel to all-electric drive and is professionally installed to OEM standards.
For the development of the Hayward facility, Motiv previously received $2.4 million in funding from the CEC. Recently, the CEC also awarded grants of approximately $2.7 million and $3 million to fund the production of a Class C electric school bus and electric refuse and loader trucks, respectively. In total, Motiv says it has received $12.3 million in funding from the CEC since the company's founding in 2009.
‘Motiv Power Systems is advancing electric transportation technology through several California Energy Commission grants, transforming mere concepts into practical, zero- and near-zero emission vehicles,’ states Janea A. Scott, the CEC's lead commissioner of transportation. “This new manufacturing facility is a great example of effective public policy and investments that can help the state meet its clean air, climate and petroleum-reduction goals.’
Motiv CEO Jim Castelaz says the company is “deeply grateful” for the state agency's backing.
“Our success is in large part due to the CEC's continuing support of cutting-edge research and investments that help develop zero-emission vehicles,’ comments Castelaz. ‘Our new manufacturing facility will enable us to meet the rising demand for zero-emission vehicles from fleets seeking cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.”
