Yard truck maker brings EVs to Canadian market

U.S.-based Orange EV has opened a Canadian office in Toronto.

The company’s Canadian division, Toronto-based OEV Canada Inc., recently became operational, and in addition to providing vehicles for purchase, will be providing in-country service and parts support.

Orange EV has hired Roberto Bragagnolo as its country general manager for Canada. He arrives at Orange EV after serving as GM of Finning, the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer, and previously spent two years with Export Development Canada involved in global trade across clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Bragagnolo began his career at Siemens, rising from regional manager-Latin America to head of energy storage.

“Orange EV has long anticipated this expansion in Canada, and with the company’s proven presence in cold-weather markets such as Minnesota, western New York, and already in Ontario, it’s a natural move that will benefit North American customers and the environment alike,” Bragagnolo said.

The vehicles are eligible for the Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) Program. Customers in Canada can save an extra $100,000 for each electric yard truck purchased, for up to 10 trucks per calendar year.

The Canadian expansion comes on the heels of announced plans to move to a larger U.S. production facility in the second quarter of 2023. It will have capacity to produce up to 1,800 terminal trucks per year in single-shift operations.

Yard trucks are used to move trailers and containers at distribution centers, manufacturing plants, warehouses, rail intermodal sites, ports, and other facilities where goods movement is essential. Commercially deployed for more than seven years, Orange EV’s matched-pair solution of trucks and chargers offers a more reliable and cost-effective solution to traditional diesel units, achieving payback often in less than three years in heavy-use operations, even without incentives.

“Orange EV’s mission is to be a leader in the effort to positively impact climate change on a global scale, manufacturing heavy-duty EVs that are a superior financial and operational choice,” said Orange EV co-founder and CTO Kurt Neutgens.

“Canadian fleets have been telling us they want to experience the Orange EV difference, and with $100,000-per-truck discounts through Canada’s incentives for Medium-and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) program now available, demand has rapidly intensified.”

Orange EV, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, builds both new and re-powered terminal trucks. It was the first U.S. manufacturer to commercially deploy and scale 100 percent electric Class 8 vehicles. Since 2010, Orange EV’s terminal trucks have been chosen by more than 160 fleets across 33 states, Canada, and the Caribbean. Cumulatively, Orange EV trucks have surpassed 12.7 million kilometres, and 2.4 million duty hours.