Heavy-duty EV builder Orange EV has announced an agreement with Georgia-based Lazer Spot to manufacture and deliver more than 25 electric yard trucks in 2021 and 2022. Lazer Spot, which calls itself the largest yard management firm in the US, has had Orange EV trucks in service for several years with great success.

Yard trucks, also known as terminal trucks, drayage trucks, port tractors, hostlers or (our favorite) yard goats, are used to move trailers and containers around freight terminals, ports and warehouse facilities. They are often cited as an ideal use case for electrification, because they travel short distances within pre-defined areas, offer lower total cost of ownership, and eliminate emissions around port facilities, many of which are major sources of air pollution.

Orange EV is a pioneer in this field—the company introduced its T-Series electric terminal truck in 2014, and now has trucks commercially deployed with over 90 fleets across 19 states, Canada and the Caribbean, which are approaching a collective 1 million hours and 3 million miles of operation.

Based on Orange EV’s data and customer case studies from its first 6 years of deployment, its customers have seen a 75% reduction in downtime versus diesel yard trucks, an 80% reduction in maintenance and repair costs, and savings of 90% in fuel-related costs.

“Orange EV is clearly the industry leader for electric yard truck innovations,” said Lazer Spot CEO Adam Newsome. “They invented and manufactured the first one. Our past successful experience with them allows Lazer Spot to stay ahead and ensure we’re utilizing proven technology and receiving the best-performing and most reliable electric yard trucks available today.”

“While other EV trucks are early-stage, Orange EV has a proven track record, delivering trucks that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, with demonstrated lower total cost of ownership,” said Orange EV CEO Wayne Mathisen.

Source: Orange EV