The industry made its annual pilgrimage to Indianapolis March 7-9 for NTEA’s Work Truck Week 2023. As commercial vehicle electrification is progressing from theory to reality, the show floor had the most EV new model launches yet, along with accessories, upfits, and partner integrations for EVs.
2023 Work Truck Week in Photos
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
The first commercial EV adopters may think they need more range when they actually don’t. Isuzu has a solution — the N-Series EV, Isuzu’s first-ever electric truck, available in the first half of 2024, can be spec’d with four battery configurations.
Photo: Chris Brown
With the sunset of small commercial van models in the U.S., Adrian Steel has introduced new packages for full-size pickups for some vocations to make the switch.
Photo: Chris Brown
Vocational bodies for commercial EVs have officially arrived. Shyft Group’s Blue Arc unit pulled the cover off its new Class 5 crew cab with a dump body. The modular EV chassis is designed for bodies and upfits serving construction, landscaping, snow removal, and other trades.
Photo: Chris Brown
Safe Fleet is made up of 12 business units focusing on diverse areas of safety. Mike Schulte, president of Safe Fleet, unveiled a new AI-powered dual dashcam with facial recognition software, an ergonomically friendly shelving package for last-mile deliveries, and a wireless video transmitter for the rear of semi-trailers.
Photo: Chris Brown
The Ram Revolution EV concept sports new features that have yet to see production on a pickup, such as a pass through that runs from the “frunk” through the truck to the liftgate; a third-row jump seat; four-wheel steering; an exterior video projector; and shadow mode in which the truck follows you autonomously. Maybe the third-row jump seat will make it to production?
Photo: Chris Brown
The interior of the Ram Revolution EV concept features an 18-inch touchscreen and a foldaway steering wheel. While a tuckable wheel won’t likely make it to production, hopefully we’ll see it someday.
Photo: Chris Brown
Ford Pro’s Tim Baughman unveiled plans for a network of 120 Elite Commercial Centers. With a focus on medium duty, the new service centers will feature at least 24 service bays, express service, an expanded mobile van fleet, and a minimum of 72 hours of week, six days a week. After the first facility opened in Minnesota in January, “We expect additional facilities to open in the next 60 days, and many more to follow in the months ahead,” Baughman said.
Photo: Chris Brown
Workhorse’s W56 Class 5/6 electric step van has a payload capacity of up to 10,000 lbs., a 1,000-ft. cargo box, and a range of up to 150 miles. Production is expected to start in the third quarter.
Photo: Chris Brown
Robert Bollinger, founder of Bollinger Motors, discusses the B4 Class 4 electric truck, which is preparing for a full production launch in 2024. The B4 has a GVWR of 15,000 lbs. and a maximum payload of 7,000 lbs., and an estimated range of 185 miles.
Photo: Chris Brown
The Class 3 gas-powered Isuzu NPR crew cab seats seven and is equipped with a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine.
Photo: Chris Brown
BrightDrop displayed its new version of Trace, the electric cart that makes deliveries more efficient. Trace Grocery allows employees to put orders into the unit and then station it curbside for customer retrieval. Kroger is the first customer.
Photo: Chris Brown
Motiv Power Systems displayed one of its Class 5 electric step vans, pulled from actual service with D.C.-based Giant Food. Motiv also brought along the driver of that truck, Garren Bailey. The first time Bailey drove the truck, “I thought it was broke,” he said, because it was so quiet. It didn’t take him much time to get used to driving it and using the regenerative braking. Bailey actually coaxed 136 miles on one battery charge — well above the truck’s expected range of 105 miles.
Photo: Chris Brown
Canoo had several of its Class 1 electric cargo Lifestyle Vehicle units with rack-and-bin packages, including Ranger Design. Did you know, at 133 cu.-ft., the Canoo LDV's cargo area is larger than that of a Transit Connect long wheelbase model?
Photo: Chris Brown
Fleets already run several software programs and apps to manage maintenance, drivers, and safety, now they’ll need more to manage EVs and charging. In addition to location and routing of EVs, Verizon Connect’s Reveal platform is integrating third-party applications accessible through a single dashboard.
Photo: Chris Brown
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) exhibited a mobile EV charging unit from Propane Fueling Solutions and InCharge. The unit can refuel vehicles with propane autogas or recharge with DC level 3 fast chargers independent of the grid. It combines a 60kW propane generator with wind and solar power to create a microgrid that's greener than diesel-powered solutions.
Photo: Chris Brown