Voltu Motor, a specialist in electrifying Class 3 vehicles for heavy-duty applications, has begun deploying ten units of its Voltu 3 electric work trucks in Riverside, California, marking the company’s first large-scale deployment from its newly established manufacturing facility in the city.
The Voltu 3 Pickup Work Truck features a 620-horsepower dual-motor system, a 166 kWh battery pack, and an EPA-rated range of 350 kilometers. A key innovation is Voltu’s proprietary Immerse Cooling Technology, which the company claims enhances performance, safety, and durability.
A standout feature of the vehicle is its ability to fast-charge without traditional DC fast-charging infrastructure. Instead, it uses an on-board fast charger that integrates the motor and power electronics, enabling AC three-phase fast charging of up to 200 kW. “This unique feature opens a new era in EV charging,” Voltu states, adding that its vehicles can also share energy between units for greater fleet flexibility. The truck supports CCS charging, though the company has not disclosed its CCS charging capacity.
“Voltu’s proprietary on-board fast charger and advanced powertrain set a new benchmark for the commercial EV market,” said Juan Ignacio Artola, Voltu Motor’s Chief Commercial Officer. “By combining cost-efficiency with uncompromising vehicle capability, we’re empowering fleets to adopt zero-emission technology without sacrificing performance or profitability.”
Riverside has ordered a total of 20 Voltu 3 trucks for its utilities, streets, and parks departments. The initial deployment will be monitored over six months to assess performance, charging, and cost efficiency. The project received $600,000 in grant funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee.
“We have a goal to have zero days of unhealthy air quality and to attain 100% carbon neutral citywide by 2040,” said Rafael Guzman, Riverside’s Assistant City Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer. “The deployment of the Voltu Class 3 zero-emission work truck gets us one step closer to our goal and establishes us as a greener and cleaner city.”
Voltu, originally based in Argentina, has made Riverside its global headquarters. The company plans to manufacture 14,000 vehicles within its first three years of operations, creating 700 long-term jobs in the region.