By Michael Elkins
Specialty vehicle company, The Shyft Group (NASDAQ:SHYF) announced Monday that they have completed testing and have received certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the company’s Blue Arc EV Solutions Class 3, 4 and 5 electric delivery vehicles.
The EPA tests revealed the Blue Arc™ Class 3 all-electric delivery vehicle can achieve up to a 200-mile range based on the EPA cycle test with a 165kwh battery pack.
Certification from the EPA represents an important milestone that helps clear the way for Shyft’s Blue Arc vehicles to start production and be sold across the U.S. Shyft expects final approval from the California Air Resources Board in the near term.
“With a range of 200 miles, this changes the game and opens up new possibilities for electrifying last-mile delivery,” said CEO Daryl Adams. “Our approach has been to focus on the engineering and product development of Blue Arc EVs, making sure we get that right first and foremost. When we get that right, and I believe we have, our customers are taking notice and we expect to secure additional production contracts in the near future.”
Shyft recently announced a $16-million investment at the company’s Charlotte, Michigan, campus to begin assembly of the electric vehicles in the second half of 2023. An initial pre-order for 2,000 of the all-electric vehicles was placed by Randy Marion Dealer Group.
Shares of SHYF are down 2.14% in premarket trading on Monday.