(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.)
The Shyft Group’s recently unveiled a new battery-electric delivery van, deploying technology from well-established suppliers with a clean-sheet-of paper design, utilizing the company’s lengthy experience in building specialty vehicles.
The offering, which is part of Shyft’s Blue Arc electric vehicle brand, made a stop in Pontiac, Michigan. It is just the latest in a slew of entries from competitors like General Motors’ BrightDrop subsidiary, Rivian with its Amazon-supported delivery van, Canoo, Bollinger and more.
The new last-mile delivery van is built around the company’s proprietary Class 3 EV Chassis that promises to have both the long lifecycle of a traditional delivery van, which can stretch out more than 15 years plus the big increase in fuel economy that comes with an electric driver, according to Eric Fisher, Shyft Innovations senior vice president and general manager, during a briefing for press at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan
Blue Arc built for commercial customers
The purpose-built, all-electric chassis by Shyft — formerly Spartan Motors — has a long history in building specialty vehicles, is built around steel frame rails, which enclose the battery pack, and a commercial grade e-axle.
The battery pack on the last-mile delivery van has a range of 150 miles on a single charge, but the lithium-ion design battery can be scaled up to the meet customers specific needs with 160 kWh to 240 kWh modular design and 800 volts. The delivery van will come Level Two and DC fast charging comes as well as 2- to 6-hour accelerated charging.
A 1- to 2-kWh solar roof is optional on the Blue Arc, which Shyft plans to support with a battery upgrade and buyback program as 92% of the material used in the battery is expected to be recycled.
The chassis design is scalable from Class 3 to Class 5 vehicles and can vary in length from 12 feet to 22 feet again, according to the customer’s needs, Fisher added. The cargo box itself is 88.5 inches tall and 88.5 inches wide.
Makes use of bonded aluminum
At first glance, the Blue Arc delivery van looks like a standard step-vans used by companies such as Federal Express, UPS and Amazon, Fisher noted. But the body isn’t riveted like the older vans with internal combustion powertrains, getting six or eight miles per gallon. Instead, the cargo box and driver’s cabin made from bonded aluminum.
The cargo box also features lightweight, honeycomb aluminum shelving. Other pieces in the cab are made of composite materials, Fisher said.
The driver comfort features include comfortable, automotive grade seat with an optional entertainment system and keyless entry and start.
The vehicle also is equipped with active emergency braking, lane-keep assist and blind-spot detection.
In addition, the steering has the feel of smaller passenger vehicle, and the one-pedal operation gives the driver even more control. But the torque from the electric motor at the rear axle come on instantly and the vehicles overall stability, even around sharp corners, is enhanced by the van’s low center of gravity.
Daryl Adams, Shyft Group president and CEO, noted the Blue Arc van will be ready for delivery to customers next summer, adding he expects the last-mile type delivery vans will be the first vehicle segment to move completely to battery-electric vehicles
With the Blue Arc name, I thought it was from Ford.