A new player has popped up to join the growing ranks of commercial EV makers.

California-based Chanje has assembled a team of execs with impressive experience in the EV industry. President Ian Gardner is an alumnus of the Boston Consulting Group, Duke Energy and the Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator. COO Joerg Sommer has been a Senior VP at Volkswagen, Daimler and Renault. VP and General Counsel James Chen has held positions at Tesla, the EPA, and two DC law firms. VP of Manufacturing Jeff Robinson served at Tesla, Ford, Mazda and GM.

Chanje claims to already have volume orders for a purpose-built electric commercial truck, which it will deliver later this year.

Chanje’s co-founding partner is Hong Kong-based FDG Electric Vehicle, a manufacturer of EVs and batteries. The two companies co-created a commercial panel van with a cargo capacity of up to 6,000 pounds and, along with other partners, have invested nearly $1 billion to bring it to market.

Chanje says its vehicle will incorporate autonomous driving technology and vehicle connectivity, including real-time data reporting and vehicle enhancements via remote software updates.

Fleet management specialist Ryder System (NYSE: R) has announced that it will be Chanje’s exclusive sales channel partner and service provider.

The company plans to work with large fleet customers to provide renewable energy and charging capabilities as a turnkey service. It envisions a microgrid depot solution that includes renewable energy, charging infrastructure, energy storage and grid services.

Chanje is in the process of selecting a site for a US assembly facility – it says the search includes “multiple states near port facilities west of the Mississippi.”

“We have an opportunity to meaningfully overhaul the last mile industry and completely revolutionize how that facet of transportation impacts the environment,” said Chanje CEO Bryan Hansel. “Medium-duty electric trucks offer the biggest emissions saving potential of all vehicles because our products fit best where they are needed the most – in highly populated, dense urban centers where noise and air quality are a major concern.”

Source: Chanje