GM associate Lightning eMotors and Ikea Partner GoBolt have agreed to build 170 zero-emission cargo vans and box trucks to be deployed across North America. Lightning will also provide charging infrastructure.
Lightning eMotors will deliver 70 Class 3 cargo vans and 100 Class 5 electric box trucks. Deployment of the smaller electric vans is already underway. Development of the Class 5 box trucks is in progress, with deliveries targeted to begin early next year.
The fleet will feature a mix of 80kWh and 120kWh batteries for a range of up to 200 miles per charge and Lightning says, it will also deliver charging infrastructure.
Toronto-based GoBolt, formerly known as Bolt Logistics and partner to Ikea Canada, recently announced it had expanded operations into the US.
“We couldn’t be more excited about our strategic partnership with GoBolt, and that it comes as they are rapidly expanding into the US market,” said Lightning eMotors’ CEO Tim Reeser.
GoBolt says it selected Lightning as its high-volume commercial EV partner after extensive testing and evaluating several manufacturers on the market and visiting Lightning’s R&D and manufacturing facility in Colorado. Lightning’s mature and active production facility stood apart from other EV companies relative to advanced technology integration, efficiency, and volume of new and repowered vehicles in production.
Lightning eMotors introduced a chassis for commercial electric vehicles in January this year. Their eChassis accommodates different battery sizes, powertrains and wheelbases to support various applications. The eChassis is available for Class 4 and 5 chassis and chassis with and without superstructures.
GoBolt and Lightning have yet to specify the vans in the new deployment.
The logistics operator aims to be carbon negative by the end of 2023.