The AYRO Vanish, an electric mini-truck crafted and assembled in Texas, has achieved a significant milestone by securing homologation, allowing it to operate legally on streets in both the United States and Canada.
In the intricate process known as homologation, recently concluded for the AYRO Vanish, new vehicles are subjected to rigorous testing and validation to ensure they conform to, and often exceed, established vehicle regulations.
To be granted homologation in the United States, the AYRO Vanish underwent a comprehensive assessment aligned with the Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) standards outlined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. These stringent guidelines, enforced by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, dictate safety and operational standards. Canada follows a closely related framework as per the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
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Emphasising the significance of passing the homologation tests, AYRO’s CEO Tom Wittenschlaeger remarked, “These tests are essential to ensure vehicles meet rigorous safety requirements and comply with our national governing bodies. Now that our award-winning Vanish has passed these tests for design, safety, and performance, we are one step closer to delivering vehicles to our customers and dealers.”
AYRO initiated pre-orders for the Vanish in May, with a modest deposit of $250 securing potential buyers a place in line for the $33,900 vehicle.
In contrast to their prevalence in Europe and Asia, mini-trucks remain a rarity in North America. While the US boasts a surplus of oversized vehicles navigating parking spaces, compact trucks have remained scarce.
AYRO aims to shift this paradigm with the introduction of the 2023 Vanish, manufactured at its Round Rock facility in Texas. Boasting a modular design, the Vanish emerges as a versatile electric vehicle, with the base model featuring a “common core chassis,” akin to a diminutive flatbed truck. The vehicle offers various configurations to suit a range of utility applications.
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While the flatbed configuration excels in versatile hauling capacities, additional options allow for a fold-down tailgate and side gates, converting the Vanish into a pickup-style bed for securing loose cargo. For those requiring a closed cargo area, an enclosed cargo box variant mimics the attributes of a compact box truck or cargo van.
Complying with LSV safety standards, the street-legal iteration of the Vanish is limited to a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). However, an alternative non-street-legal model will be accessible, featuring a higher top speed, intended for private use on designated properties such as campuses, industrial estates, and factory complexes.
