Motiv Power Systems has been making significant strides in the commercial fleet industry, introducing its latest electric trucks for medium-duty fleets. 

Additionally, they’re currently testing a zero-emissions refrigerated truck equipped with Carrier Transicold’s Pulsor eCool unit and have recently received an order for 30 more electric delivery vans from Cintas. 

These updates demonstrate Motiv’s dedication to providing sustainable transportation solutions for businesses.

Motiv’s New Electric Medium-Duty Trucks

The new trucks build on the company’s previous generations, engineered to meet today’s fleet needs while embracing the latest EV technology.

The models include a new motor and battery system, which Motiv noted is assembled with a far more efficient powertrain design with fewer parts. 

Motiv worked with Nidec to design and patent a six-phase motor and motor controller producing torque that surpasses internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. 

Motiv also co-developed and has patents pending for its battery interface to the new battery system, the first ONE Aries LFP battery system on the market, capable of reaching a 200-mile range on a single charge. The base version is rated at 150 miles range.

The new trucks arrive as the commercial trucking industry faces increasing pressure to electrify due to newly accelerated net-zero regulations, federal tax breaks, gas price volatility, corporate sustainability initiatives, and consumer pressure.

Motiv noted that businesses eager to transition to EVs need established vehicles that can service 2-6 ton payloads with the same reliability and an even better driving experience than traditional internal combustion engine trucks.  

Motiv’s vehicles incorporate notable upgrades to empower fleet operators and drivers to embrace electrification, including: 

• Torque equal to Class 8 diesel trucks: The patented motor and controller, co-developed with Nidec, offers Class 8 diesel-comparable torque making the trucks faster than all gasoline equivalents 0-30 and 0-60 with a full load (4-6 tons).

• Simplified design: The new EVs have built on Motiv’s previous iterations to embody an efficient, reliable design by combining 12 parts into a single, high-reliability unit with fewer wires and cables. The simplicity improves serviceability and limits maintenance needs. Plus, the vehicles use less refrigerant, which is more climate-friendly and robust.

• Enhanced driving range: The new ONE Aries LFP battery, co-developed with ONE and incorporating Motiv’s patent-pending battery control signal, offers a 150-200-mile range for its entire capacity, even when at max GVWR. This means that fleets can drive the entire range with a max-rated payload, opening the door to electrification for companies with large payload requirements like linens and office supplies.

• Battery safety and sustainability: The LFP battery is free of nickel and cobalt, which lowers costs, creates a more sustainable raw material supply chain, and has a significantly longer lifetime. The chemistry and design of the LFP battery significantly increase safety by eliminating the potential for thermal events. The batteries are also manufactured in the U.S., growing innovation and opportunity in America. 

• Highly customizable: Fleets can select two or three battery packs to suit range needs. The new technology design supports customized bodybuilders, including providing several charge port locations, multiple high-voltage accessories for HVAC and power take-off, and many specialized body requirements. 

“Motiv’s new technology platform tackles key barriers to electrifying a commercial fleet: payload confidence, range anxiety, and serviceability concerns. And we’ve collaborated with our customers,” said Tim Krauskopf, CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “The driver holding the wheel every day is our target – and our success at getting them to advocate for Motiv’s EVs is the best validation for adoption.”

Zero-Emission Cooling Technology

The refrigerated truck pilot of a fully integrated zero-emissions refrigerated truck featuring Carrier Transicold’s Pulsor eCool unit, one of Carrier’s newest refrigeration solutions for all-electric vehicles.

A Motiv truck equipped with Carrier’s Pulsor eCool technology can deliver refrigerated goods all day.

Motiv will deploy its refrigerated truck in the U.S. as part of a summer pilot program. Through collaboration with Carrier Transicold, Pulsor eCool technology will fully integrate with Motiv’s drive system, creating the ideal solution for last-mile delivery and temperature-controlled electrification.

Electrifying the Cintas Fleet

Motiv’s expanded relationship with Cintas follows the successful pilot of seven Motiv-powered vehicles across three states in 2022. Cintas will deploy the new order of 30 Motiv trucks on existing routes. 

This new order brings the number of Motiv-powered EVs in the Cintas fleet to 37 vehicles driving daily routes nationwide across Michigan, New York, and California.

Since the initial pilot program, Motiv has helped Cintas reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37 metric tons — in line with the company’s broader Electric Vehicle and Alternative-Fuel Vehicle Strategy.

Cintas operates one of North America’s largest corporate fleets, with almost 14,000 commercial vehicles deployed throughout the United States and Canada. 

Cintas’ deployed and new order of electric delivery vehicles are built on Motiv’s EPIC5 platform.

Motiv is a 14-year veteran providing all-electric step vans, box trucks and shuttle buses capable of moving 2-6 ton payloads. The company has deployed more than 150 vehicles and driven more than 2.5M miles with fleets across North America. 

Editor's note: this item was originally published April 27, 2023 and has been updated with the addition of the refrigerated product and Cintas van order.