The Shyft Group in Novi, a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, has introduced the Blue Arc Power Cube, a fully portable remote-controlled charging station with onboard energy storage to serve a variety of needs for commercial vehicle fleets and other end uses.
The Power Cube and a second Blue Arc product, an all-electric last-mile delivery van, were featured Thursday in an educational showcase on Capitol Hill for representatives from the U.S. Congress and federal executive branch departments and agencies involved in the development of a domestic electric vehicle market.
Understanding that the lack of EV infrastructure is one of the roadblocks to adoption — there are too few charging stations that take hours to fully charge battery systems — the Power Cube offers a unique solution: a mobile, customizable, commercial grade EV charger that does not need to be connected to the grid.
The deployment model is customizable, offering varying configurations to meet customers’ unique needs. It carries 3MW of onboard power and its Level 2 and Fast-DC charging capabilities and the company states the unit can have vehicles up and running in 1-2 hours.
As the U.S. reimagines its energy future and a new electrified ecosystem takes shape, one of the most important transportation sectors to consider is commercial vehicle fleets. As early adopters, fleets and fleet managers can accelerate the EV transition for other sectors by partnering with auto manufacturers that are developing innovative solutions for the country’s infrastructure charging needs.
“The transportation industry must take action and reduce its carbon footprint – which is why creating a better, more sustainable, and inclusive future is a fundamental value of The Shyft Group,” says Daryl Adams, president and CEO of The Shyft Group. “Investing in infrastructure innovation is one way we can truly create a smart, responsible approach to fueling the EV promise.”
The Power Cube also is supplemented with wind and solar power, including panels to track the sun for maximum exposure and charging.
“It’s important for us to create the needed infrastructure that will help move us away from fossil fuel dependency,” says Eric Fisher, senior vice president and general manager of Shyft Innovations, the company’s research and development arm that developed Blue Arc.
“By rethinking the lifecycle of infrastructure — leveraging a portable, flexible microgrid that requires no digging or trenching for a permanent underground connection — we can advance the network of fleet charging solutions.”
The charging station can be moved to different locations — an ideal solution for fleet managers who lease their facilities and cannot pursue permanent renovations.
In addition to providing power during rescue and damage-control operations, other applications exist for campgrounds, roadside assistance, and the military, where portable charging pods can charge drones, ground vehicles, and communications equipment.
The Blue Arc product ecosystem includes a commercial-grade EV chassis and the Blue Arc delivery van, a 100-percent battery-powered Class 3 electric commercial delivery vehicle designed for high-frequency, last-mile delivery fleets. The all-electric chassis is adaptable to last-mile delivery, work truck, mass transit, recreational vehicles, and other emerging EV markets.
The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services and Shyft Specialty Vehicles. The company’s family of brands includes Blue Arc EV Solutions, Utilimaster, Royal Truck Body, DuraMag, Magnum, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan RV Chassis, Builtmore Contract Manufacturing, and corresponding aftermarket provisions.
The company has approximately 3,800 employees and contractors and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, California, Arizona, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. The Shyft Group reported sales of $992 million in 2021.
To learn more, visit TheShyftGroup.com.
