ABC Companies has placed an initial order for 10 Vicinity Lightning™ EV buses with its new U.S. distribution partner, Grande West.
The ABC distributorship supports Grande West’s focus on U.S. expansion as it begins marketing the fully Buy America compliant Vicinity™ heavy-duty mid-size bus, the Vicinity Lightning™ EV and Vicinity™ LT light-duty models to new and existing customers.
The new Vicinity Lightning™ EV buses currently on order will bring a unique 28-foot low floor offering to the U.S. marketplace. With a flexible floorplan utilizing components such as BMW sourced battery packs, modules and components, public and private customers will be able to offer zero-emission transportation to a variety of passengers. Production units are slated for delivery to ABC in the third and fourth quarters of 2021 for resale into the U.S.
“The size, flexibility and quality of the Vicinity Lightning™ EV bridges the gap between larger buses and lower passenger shuttles, with a very compact footprint which benefits the operators, drivers and passengers. We think it is a real win-win-win,” said Roman Cornell, president and chief commercial officer of ABC Companies. “The Vicinity Lightning™ EV joins the portfolio of zero emission vehicles ABC sells and services to meet the rapidly evolving battery electric market.”
The order is the first from ABC, who recently entered an agreement with Vicinity Motors to distribute its full line of products which currently includes the Vicinity™ heavy duty mid-size bus, the Vicinity Lightning™ EV and Vicinity™ LT light duty models. The Vicinity line fills key transit and private shuttle roles within the ABC vehicle portfolio, enhancing its offerings to current customers while expanding sales further into the US transit market.
“We anticipate high demand for our clean, sustainable Vicinity Lightning™ EV, and these initial orders mark the beginning of a valuable partnership with the excellent team at ABC,” said William Trainer, founder and CEO of Vicinity Motors. “People are recognizing the need to move people more efficiently using proven zero emission technology with a smaller environmental footprint, and governments are responding to these demands.
“As customers transition to and adopt electric vehicles, the Vicinity Lightning™ EV provides maximum versatility to support multiple transportation applications utilizing high quality, proven and commercially available technology and industry standardized charging solutions. With our production ramp up, we now have 25 Vicinity Lightning™ EV buses in the production phase and are gearing up for significant growth. We look forward to expanding our reach and sales in the U.S. through our partnership with ABC, driving forward a more sustainable public transit system,” concluded Trainer.
