Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Lightning Systems Electric Transit Van Gains CARB Approval

The LightningElectric drivetrain for the Transit was one of the first to test under the newly released 2018 CARB efficiency and range validation test procedures for medium-duty vehicles.

June 5, 2018
Lightning Systems Electric Transit Van Gains CARB Approval

The Ford Transit 350HD equipped with the zero-emissions LightningElectric drivetrain achieves 61 MPGe in the city and 66 MPGe on the highway.

Photo courtesy of Lightning Systems.

2 min to read


The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an executive order for Lightning Systems’ battery-electric drivetrain package for the Ford Transit 350HD. The executive order is a required document that indicates that a product has met all requirements and can be offered for sale in California.

Ad Loading...

The LightningElectric drivetrain for the Transit is used by commercial and government fleets, and was one of the first to test under the newly released 2018 CARB efficiency and range validation test procedures for medium-duty vehicles, according to a release from Lightning Systems. CARB gave the order for the 50-mile and 100-mile range versions of the new LightningElectric for Ford Transit. 

Ad Loading...

The Ford Transit 350HD equipped with the zero-emissions LightningElectric drivetrain achieves 61 MPGe in the city and 66 MPGe on the highway, according to Lightning Systems.

The 50-mile range system was rated at 54 miles all-electric range and the 100-mile range vehicle came in at exactly double at 109 miles all-electric range. Lightning Systems also recently introduced a 150-mile range model. 

Lightning Electric for the Ford Transit is offered throughout the United States as part of Ford’s eQVM program, according to Lightning Systems. The product is available for Ford Transits with a 10,360-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Ford’s vehicle warranty covers the base chassis for vehicles with the Lightning drivetrain. Ford QVM dealers and upfitters perform installations and service.

The batteries of the all-electric Lightning vans can be fast-charged in 30 minutes for the 50-mile version and 90 minutes for the 150-mile version, the company said. Depending on battery option and drive cycle, LightningElectric has a payload capacity of up to 4,000 pounds.

In California, the first Lightning Electric vehicles will be deployed by XPO Sales, Inc. for the LAX Wingate Hotel in Los Angeles.

Ad Loading...

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Vehicle Insights

White Workhorse electric delivery truck driving along a cobblestone street lined with historic buildings and flags in a Canadian city. The truck features Workhorse branding and an orange logo on its side.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 26, 2026

Workhorse Partners with Tristan Fleet Management to Sell and Service Electric W56 Step Vans in Canada

Workhorse’s first Canadian dealer partnership, with Tristan Fleet Management, builds on five years of selling electric step vans in Canada.

Read More →
A woman wearing a blue GM Cares shirt holds up educational materials while speaking to a group of participants seated at tables during a community outreach or educational workshop.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 26, 2026

GM Launches Manufacturing Futures Under its $50M Commitment to Michigan

General Motors’ new initiative, Manufacturing Futures, will connect 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year with advanced manufacturing education and career pathways.

Read More →
Gray Ford Super Duty dual-rear-wheel pickup driving on a road beneath the headline “Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide.”
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 23, 2026

Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Updates

Explore 2027 Ford Super Duty fleet specs, gas and diesel engines, towing, payload, configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Work Truck graphic with a truck engine and the text “Rerating GVWR — What Fleets Need to Know.”
Safety & Compliance•by Staff•October 22, 2026

Re-rating Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR): Why and How it's Done

Sometimes, it is not in a fleet’s best interests to have a vehicle at a given GVWR. Changing the GVWR to a special value can be done, but the process is complicated.

Read More →
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup truck towing an enclosed cargo trailer along a paved road, showcasing the truck's towing capabilities.
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 20, 2026

Which Pickup Trucks Last 250,000 Miles? 2026 Rankings Revealed

Which pickup trucks are most likely to reach 250,000 miles? The 2026 iSeeCars study ranks 12 long-lasting models, with Ram, Toyota, GMC, and Ford among the leaders.

Read More →
Interior view of a Peterbilt commercial truck cab featuring a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment system, steering wheel, dashboard controls, and digital side mirrors, with a winding highway and mountains visible through the windshield.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 19, 2026

Peterbilt Showcasing Transportation Innovations at ATA MCE

Peterbilt showcased Paccar Connect and exhibited several trucks during the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White Volvo VNX dump truck with illuminated roof lights, rugged tires, and front grille guard parked at a snowy nighttime worksite beside a yellow semi-truck and piles of rocks.
Vehicle Insights•by Wayne Parham•October 14, 2026

Volvo Unveils New VNX Vocational Truck & Off-Road Capable Tractor

Volvo Trucks has launched the VNX, a new vocational truck designed for on- and off-road use, and available in three variants. It is powered by the D13 platform, which delivers up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 pound-feet of torque and is EPA 2027 compliant.

Read More →
Work Truck Weekly Truck Chat Cheat Sheet thumbnail featuring host Lauren Fletcher with blue hair, shrugging against a bold black, blue, and yellow background. Text highlights strike rumors, electric fleet lessons, and GM’s new Duramax, with images of a Republic Services refuse truck, Duramax engine, and Ghostbusters-inspired graphics.
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 12, 2026

Truckers’ Strike Rumors, Electric Fleet Lessons, and GM’s New Duramax Lead This Week’s News

Truckers’ strike rumors, Republic Services’ electric fleet lessons, GM’s new 8.3L Duramax, van upfitting, Ford Pro used trucks, and more headline this week’s Truck Chat Cheat Sheet.

Read More →
Morgan Olson graphic promoting North America’s Longest Working Step Van Challenge, featuring a white step van, 999,999-mile odometer, durability and performance icons, and “Built to Deliver, Built to Last” messaging.
Vehicle Insights•October 5, 2026

Morgan Olson Launches North America’s Longest Working Step Van Challenge

Morgan Olson has launched North America’s Longest Working Step Van Challenge, a new customer campaign to find the longest-working qualifying Morgan Olson or Grumman step van actively delivering packages for an independent service provider contracted by FedEx.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ford Transit Cargo Van at a construction site with Ford Transit Fleet Guide title text.
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 1, 2026

Ford Transit Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Model-Year Updates

Explore 2027 Ford Transit fleet specs, engines, payload and towing capability, cargo configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.

Read More →