UPS Starts Demo Program Using EVI Electric Delivery Van

Electric Car News | admin | September 8, 2010 at 9:24 am

Electric Vehicles International (EVI) announced that UPS has begun a 90-day demonstration trial of their walk-in van (EVI-WI).

Over the past year, EVI and UPS have worked together to develop a vehicle to meet the needs of the parcel delivery service industry.

The EVI-WI is built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) glider equipped with a Utilimaster body.

Earlier this year, EVI received California Air Resource Board (CARB) approval for the EVI-WI. Customers who purchase the EVI-WI can take advantage of a $20,000 CARB rebate through the Hybrid Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP).

The 90-day demonstration process with UPS will be split into three 30-day, smaller demonstrations in vastly different regional locations. The vehicle demonstration will begin in Sacramento, followed by San Francisco and concluding in Reno.

The EVI-WI features a 99 kWh lithium-ion battery pack produced by Valence and wedges a 150 kW (continuous), 200 kW (peak) electric motor into the spacious chassis. Average range is expected to be 90 miles per charge and the van tops out at a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour.