Lightning eMotors reveals all-new Lightning eChassis for commercial EVs

Commercial EV builder Lightning eMotors (NYSE: ZEV) has introduced an all-new rolling chassis purpose-built for commercial EV applications.

The Lightning eChassis, which was developed in collaboration with Mexican automotive supplier Metalsa, will be available for Class 4 and Class 5 commercial electric chassis cab, stripped chassis and cutaway chassis configurations.

The design accommodates different battery sizes and configurations, different powertrain integrations and different wheelbases, allowing Lightning eMotors to support a wide variety of vocational applications and upfitter partners. Lightning says the new eChassis will support a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) that’s about 1,500 pounds higher than the average platform on the market today, enabling customers to increase passenger and payload capacity for electrified ambulances, shuttle buses, delivery and refrigerated trucks and work trucks.

Lightning expects to make pre-production units available starting in the second quarter of 2022, and to begin production before the end of the year.

“This collaboration with Metalsa will allow us to serve areas of the commercial vehicle market that are currently underserved with electrification options,” said Lightning CEO and co-founder Tim Reese. “Bringing this solution to the commercial EV space represents another milestone in our strategy to offer our customers purpose-built, highly-customized zero-emission vehicles that deliver superior performance at a low price.”

“The platform is designed to accommodate the evolving technology and ever-changing product requirements in the market,” said Joe El-Behairy, President of Metalsa’s e-Mobility Growth Business Unit. “We are confident that this new rolling chassis, combined with our integration capabilities and ability to scale manufacturing rapidly, will support Lightning’s growth plans.”

“One of the most exciting aspects of our partnership with Metalsa is the control it gives us over our chassis supply chain,” said Chelsea Ramm, Lightning VP, Global Supply Chain. “Constraints on the automotive supply chain have impacted the entire EV market. The Lightning eChassis provides our customers with additional options and the flexible architecture to accommodate a variety of different powertrain needs and wheelbases.”

Source: Lightning eMotors

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