Motiv Electric Trucks Launches Configurable Medium-Duty Argo

Motiv Electric Trucks, a manufacturer of medium-duty electric trucks and buses launched Argo, its first-ever fully-integrated cab-chassis design that significantly expands the number and type of vehicles and applications that can be electrified.

The company unveiled Argo during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the launch of Argo, Motiv Power Systems rebranded as Motiv Electric Trucks.

Available in multiple configurations, Argo supports dock-height to lower-profile applications and a wider range of truck body lengths for:

• Work site vehicles (short dump trucks and aerial lifts)
• Walk-through delivery trucks (step vans)
• Dry freight or refrigerated trucks up to 30 feet long
• Buses

“Overnight we’ve moved from a company primarily serving a narrow slice of the $20 billion medium-duty truck market to one that can serve nearly that entire market,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv Electric Trucks. “The launch of Argo is a transformational moment for our company as we can now offer more vehicles and options to help more fleet customers meet their sustainability goals.”

Argo Design Influenced by Customer Feedback

Argo’s intentional design incorporated learnings from Motiv's 15 years and 4 million miles of vehicles on the road and was informed by substantial customer participation and feedback. The result is a new truck that the company said is energy efficient, safer for pedestrians and drivers, and offers the highest payload of any medium-duty electric vehicle.

Among the many benefits of the Argo series, according to Motiv, are:

• Heavier payloads, farther: Argo trucks haul up to 14,000 pounds of payload and can drive up to 200 miles. The cab’s lightweight composite structure coupled with the Aries LFP battery that was co-developed with Our Next Energy provides fleets with industry-leading range and payload, all without requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• Safety for everyone: Argo’s safety-focused design begins with an emphasis on visibility. Forward command seating, low beltlines, larger windshield, and a low curbside window provide drivers with more direct views of their surroundings to keep pedestrians safe. Front and rear cameras and optional e-mirrors offer additional visibility enhancements.
• Prioritized entry/exit driver safety: Curbside, forward-facing entry and exit with two full-length safety railings and full-size, high-friction, self-cleaning interior steps help mitigate the most common operator injuries, according to Motiv.

• A truck that drivers love: Designed for operator heights ranging from 4’11” to 6’3”, Argo was built to maximize accessibility and thus expand the pool of potential drivers. A heated captain seat with adjustable lumbar support and armrests enables better driving posture, allowing for improved vehicle control while reducing fatigue. Intuitive navigation, climate control, cup holder, and device charger ports are within an arm’s reach for everyone, minimizing distractions.
• Superior uptime and durability:  The Argo platform provides durability and uptime at a fraction of the weight of other electric medium-duty trucks, according to Motiv. Built-in partnership with TPI Composites, the Argo cab uses advanced structural composite materials and processes that provide dramatically higher corrosion and impact resistance, better repairability, and stronger structural integrity. Motiv’s Gen 6 technology featuring the Motiv Smart Hub improves reliability by reducing cables and replacing wires with circuit boards.
• Energy optimized: Energy optimization is everywhere in the Argo cab’s composite structure, which Motiv said provides superior insulation versus metal cabs. Other energy-saving features include built-in microwire heat on the windshield to save on defrosting energy and seats heated and cooled with specially-designed airflow.
• Compatible with 14-foot to 30-foot truck bodies: The Argo comes in wheelbases ranging from 178-inch to 252-inch. Argo is available in a dock-height configuration with standard 295/75R22.5 tires or a lower-profile height with 245/70R19.5 tires. Motiv said Argo works in almost any medium-duty application.
• Diesel-equivalent torque: Argo's patented motor and controller, co-developed with Nidec, offers torque comparable to a Class 8 diesel and motor performance comparable to an 800V system, all using a 400V system that is compatible with all DC fast chargers. 

Making Motive Vehicles for 15 Years & 4 Million Miles

Motiv has developed, manufactured, and deployed electric step vans, box trucks, and shuttles to businesses for the last 15 years, putting more than 300 vehicles on the road that have collectively driven 4 million miles and delivered approximately 240 million pounds of goods. In 2023, the company’s electric trucks collectively achieved a 98% uptime, according to company diagnostic data.

“We’ve come a long way from the early days of the electric truck industry — every year we see substantial improvements in uptime and performance coming from design improvements we’ve developed hand-in-hand with customers,” said Jim Castelaz, Motiv’s founder and chief technology and revenue officer.  “Many fleet customers have been impressed with the simple design of our new Gen 6 architecture, which includes less copper, better cable routing, easier service access, our patented smart hub, and reliable software. This apparent simplicity took years for us to optimize and now our customers can finally reap the benefits.”

Ten of the largest 20 medium-duty truck fleets in North America use Motiv vehicles, the company said.  Those fleets include Purolator, Vestis, Cintas, Bimbo Bakeries, and other leading brands. Plus, Motiv now accounts for 45% of electric step vans in California and 19% of step van deployments in the U.S. overall.

The Argo Series of vehicles are Made in the USA, Buy America-compliant, and are eligible for tax credits and a variety of incentive programs.