CARB approves EVI for California

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved Electric Vehicles InternationalÂ’s (EVI) fully electric return-to-base Medium and Heavy-Duty trucks.

CARB approval recognizes that our Freightliner Custom Chassis model EVI-WI and our Daimler Freightliner M2 Model EVI-MD are clean, California-certified zero emission vehicles. These US Department of Transportation (DOT) approved, road-ready vehicles are optimized for delivery and other return-to-base applications, offering a sustainable solution for CaliforniaÂ’s fleet operators.

“Having both the CARB and DOT approval, along with our state-of-the-art vertically integrated zero emission powertrain, truly sets EVI apart from the competition in the fully electric return-to-base application,” says Steve Riley, vice president of sales and marketing.

“With this approval, our customers will be eligible for various state and federal rebates and incentives,” says Riley. The California Air Resource Board, through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, will be offering rebates of $20,000 per vehicle beginning mid-March 2010. These rebates, which can be combined with other incentives, will be available on a first-come basis, lower the upfront costs and accelerate the payback period for fleet operators and other customers, who will realize substantial ongoing fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs compared to conventional dirty diesel trucks.

EVI is a pioneer in zero emission electric vehicle development, manufacturing and deployment, with over 20 years of success optimizing zero emission, all-electric Powertrains. Strategic partnerships with Light Engineering, Valence Technology, and Daimler and Freightliner provide the most efficient electric motors and the safest, longest-lasting batteries, seamlessly integrated into tough American-built chassis relied upon by fleet operators throughout the nation and the world.

In November 2009, EVI celebrated the Grand Opening of our new state-of-the-art worldwide headquarters and primary U.S. manufacturing plant located in Stockton, California.