Alkane Truck Company and Florida-based evLaboratory have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate evLabs’ powertrain and battery management system with Alkane’s OEM alternative fuel truck chassis.

The first model to market will be a new Class 6 (up to 26,000 GVWR) electric delivery truck for inner-city commerce. The companies envision launching several more Class 4 through Class 7 electric models in the future.

Alkane’s medium- and heavy-duty alternative fueled trucks are shipped to Alkane as knock-down kits from component manufacturers. Alkane tests the components, certifies compliance with DOT truck regulations, and assembles the trucks at a US assembly facility. The trucks are US OEM-compliant, as domestic value-add content exceeds 51%. This allows Alkane to issue its own VINs, and to qualify for government and military contracts.

evLabs builds a universal electric drivetrain system using a sequence of electric motors that can range from 100 to 700 hp. The system includes a controller, a battery management system and a battery pack. The company’s initial Class 6 electric model is rated at 325 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.

“Significant investment incentives are being offered to accelerate fleet transitions to zero- and low-emission transportation,” said Alkane founder and CEO Robert Smith. “For example, California has approved clean-air incentive programs that provide fleet vouchers of $90,000 to $100,000 per truck for Class 6 ZEV trucks coming to market in 2018. Also, the Federal VW Mitigation Trust has established maximum funding allowances of 75-100% of the cost to replace a diesel Class 6 truck with an all-electric [model]. Launch of the Alkane/evLabs electric truck product line is perfectly timed to take full advantage of the incentives, fuel savings and maintenance savings that fleet managers can benefit from.”

Source: Alkane Truck Company