Vantage Vehicle International, based in Corona, CA, is rolling out nationwide a line of all-electric, light-duty utility trucks and vans powered by quick-charging lead-acid batteries.
The line consists of the two-passenger Extended Cab GreenTruck EVX 1000 and the five-passenger Crew Cab GreenTruck EVR 1000, both of which the company says can haul up to 10,000 lbs.; the five-passenger cargo EVC 1000 GreenVan; and the seven-passenger EVP 1000 GreenVan passenger van.
According to Vantage, the trucks' batteries charge on standard house current in four to six hours and have a range of up to 60 mi. per charge. Acceleration is stated at 0 to 25 mph in five seconds. The company puts the cost of operating these vehicles at about three cents per mile and says insurance premiums are well below those for full-sized vehicles. With these cost savings, they typically pay for themselves in about five years, Vantage claims.
The company says Vantage founder and CEO Michael Pak has long been involved in the U.S. electric vehicle market in the United States. “After several years of research,” says Pak, “I discovered that I could create the ideal electric vehicles by installing all U.S.-made electric components in mini-vehicle chassis made by a Chinese automobile company. We maintain the highest quality control standards in our Corona factory and can expand to meet demand as the EV [electric vehicle] market grows.”
Vantage notes it is launching the trucks via a distribution network with dealers in most major U.S cities including Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Columbus, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Houston, Richmond, Raleigh, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
For more information go to www.vantagevehicle.com or call 951-735-1200.