The Shyft Group Inc., the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, announces that it has finalized an agreement with Rush Enterprises Inc., which operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, to sell and service the company’s Blue Arc Class 3, 4, and 5 all-electric delivery vehicles.
“When our customers couldn’t find what they needed and asked us to enter the EV space for last mile delivery vehicles, we committed to deliver with commercial-grade quality, innovation, and a strong focus on driver needs,” says Daryl Adams, president and chief executive officer of The Shyft Group. “Doing so has enabled us to have outstanding partners. We could not be more pleased to have Rush Enterprises’ support getting Blue Arc vehicles on the road across the country.”
The reimagined design and performance of Blue Arc all-electric delivery vehicles demonstrates the value that last mile experience brings to the market during this critical industry transition to clean technology. Blue Arc provides industry benchmark performance levels for range in commercial EVs with CARB certification at 225 miles for Class 3 EVs under CARB test conditions, which gives customers the knowledge they can comfortably perform and, in many cases, exceed a daily last mile delivery route and cargo capacity requirements.
“The Shyft Group’s 50 years of experience in the last mile delivery market makes them uniquely qualified to create an impressive EV solution from the ground up,” says W.M. “Rusty” Rush, chairperson, chief executive officer, and president of Rush Enterprises Inc. “We’re confident that many fleet customers will find Blue Arc’s range and payload capabilities as a valuable solution to their last mile delivery needs.”
He adds, “At Rush Truck Centers, we have a dedicated team of experts in alternative fuels, governmental policy, and grant funding to help our customers select the best powertrain technology for their application and duty cycles, while complying with regulatory requirements and any environmental goals. We’re happy to offer The Shyft Group’s Blue Arc EVs to our Class 3-5 customers across the country.”
The Blue Arc portfolio includes Class 3 all-electric vehicles offering 600, 700, and 800 cubic feet of cargo capacity and up to 5,000 lbs of payload. The Class 4 offers 700 and 800 cubic feet, the Class 5 provides 900, 1,110, and 1,200 cubic feet options, and both offer a payload of up to 7,500 lbs.
Shyft’s Blue Arc EV will start customer deliveries in 2024 in Charlotte, Michigan. Vehicle sales and service support will be offered through authorized dealerships strategically located across Rush Truck Centers’ nationwide network.
For more information, visit theshyftgroup.com, www.rushtruckcenters.com, and www.rushenterprises.com.
