The Shyft Group recently 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 in an educational showcase on Capitol Hill July 21 for representatives from the U.S. Congress and federal departments and agencies involved in the development of a domestic electric vehicle market.
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, Shyft noted. 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.
“We’re at a critical time to decide where and how electric vehicle infrastructure is built,” said U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell. “This innovation addresses a major roadblock to growing the U.S. electric vehicle fleet and is an impressive advancement toward making EVs more accessible. I’m proud to see a Michigan-based company leading the way in expanding EV infrastructure, and I look forward to continuing to work in Congress alongside industry partners and other key stakeholders to move us closer to a zero-emission vehicle future while creating good jobs here at home and advancing American competitiveness on the world stage.”
“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,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Daryl Adams. “Investing in infrastructure innovation is one way we can truly create a smart, responsible approach to fueling the EV promise.”
Understanding that lack of EV infrastructure is one of the roadblocks to adoption, the Power Cube offers a unique solution: a mobile, customizable, commercial grade EV charger that does not need to be connected to the grid. Its fast and flexible 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 can have vehicles up and running in 1-2 hours. The Power Cube is also supplemented with wind and solar power, including panels to track the sun for maximum exposure and charging, to ensure sustained service despite power grid failures.
“It’s important for us to create the needed infrastructure that will help move us away from fossil fuel dependency,” said 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 Power Cube provides clean, responsible energy when and where it is needed. When the job is done or there is a desire to move the charging station to a different location, it gets picked up and moved – an ideal solution for fleet managers who lease their facilities and cannot pursue permanent renovations. This portability also creates possibilities for adaptability to other end uses.
Consider the case of a natural disaster, where grid power may be knocked out across a large geographic area and power is required for rescue and damage-control operations. Potential applications also 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% battery-powered Class 3 electric commercial delivery vehicle designed for high-frequency, last-mile delivery fleets. With a high degree of configurability, the all-electric chassis is adaptable to last-mile delivery, work truck, mass transit, recreational vehicle and other emerging EV markets.