Commercial EV builder Lightning eMotors has received a $45-million order for its zero-emission powertrain systems from Minnesota-based motorcoach supplier ABC Companies.

The order includes new vehicles manufactured by Lightning, as well as new Lightning-developed powertrains that will be upfitted by ABC into customers’ existing vehicles. In addition to Class 8 motorcoaches, the order includes Class 3 Transit passenger vans, Class 4 E-450 shuttle buses, Class 5 F-550 shuttle buses, and Class 7 transit buses.

Lightning eMotors has trained ABC personnel to install and service its powertrain systems. The first zero-emission motorcoach was delivered in December.

“The first motorcoach delivered has met the high expectations many of our customers have,” said Roman Cornell, President of ABC Companies. “It has excellent power and over 200 miles of range on a charge, and Lightning’s energy division can support installation of fast-charging systems that meet our customer’s stringent requirements.”

“At 3,445 Newton-meters of torque (2,540 ft-lbs), the electric motorcoaches are our most powerful and advanced powertrain to date,” said Lightning CEO Tim Reeser. “They have an 800-volt modular, liquid-cooled battery system with up to 640 kilowatt-hours of energy that provides roughly 200 miles of real-world range and can be charged fully in three hours via DC fast charging.”

“The coach powertrain is our seventh commercial electric vehicle powertrain, developed on our modular, proprietary software and hardware platform,” Reeser added. “With more than 500 components, and a multitude of custom-built systems including intricate wiring harnesses, DC fast charging systems, control software, framework, and several of the high-voltage HVAC components, we developed the powertrain in less than a year.”

Despite the complexity, the powertrain is designed to be quickly installed by trained ABC technicians at their facilities throughout North America. ABC will also be an authorized nationwide service center and distributor for new and repower options for Lightning eMotors’ shuttle vans and cutaway applications.

Meanwhile, Lightning eMotors plans to go public via a business combination with GigCapital3 (NYSE: GIK), a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, after which Lightning eMotors will be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol ZEV.

Source: Lightning eMotors