The transition to electric trucks is increasingly about practicality rather than propulsion and in this arena, overseas developments are proving this to be true. As fleet operators look for battery-electric vehicles that can perform the same vocational tasks as their diesel counterparts, manufacturers are focusing on application-specific body solutions. US-based RIZON’s latest service combo body is aimed squarely at that market, giving utilities, municipalities and service fleets a zero-emission platform without compromising operational functionality.
Secure storage meets versatile load-carrying capability
RIZON has unveiled a new service combo body for its all-electric commercial truck range, combining lockable tool storage with a spacious rear cargo bed in what the manufacturer describes as a first-of-its-kind configuration for its battery-electric chassis.
The body has been designed to support a wide range of vocational applications, offering customers the ability to transport tools, equipment and materials while maintaining the functionality expected from a traditional service vehicle.
According to Alex Voets, general manager of RIZON USA, the objective was to eliminate compromises often associated with electric commercial vehicles.
“Commercial vehicle customers have been asking for an electric truck that doesn’t require them to change how they work. This new combo body delivers the familiar functionality fleets rely on, now on a zero-emission RIZON chassis.”
The configurable body can accommodate a variety of vocational equipment including cranes, ladder racks, generators, lift gates and work lighting, allowing operators to tailor vehicles to specific applications without sacrificing payload or usability.
Designed for vocational fleets
The new body is expected to appeal to municipalities, utility companies, maintenance contractors, telecommunications providers and infrastructure service businesses seeking to electrify their fleets while retaining the capabilities of conventional service vehicles.
RIZON says the combination body has been engineered to integrate seamlessly with its all-electric chassis, giving operators a practical zero-emission alternative for everyday field operations.
Purchase incentives available
In the United States, eligible RIZON customers can benefit from substantial government incentives. The trucks currently qualify for California’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) and Washington State’s Zero-Emission Incentive Program (WAZIP), with point-of-sale vouchers ranging from US$60 000 to US$130 000 depending on programme eligibility. That’s huge.
Growing electric truck portfolio
RIZON’s Class 4 and Class 5 battery-electric trucks offer gross vehicle weights from 15,995 lb to 18,850 lb (7.3 tons to 8.6 tons).
The M-size variant, equipped with two battery packs, offers a range of up to 177 km, while the L-size version, fitted with three battery packs, extends range to as much as 257 km under standard test conditions.
The trucks support both DC fast charging via CCS1 connectors and Level 2 AC charging through J1772 connectors, providing fleets with charging flexibility across different operating environments.
RIZON also highlights its proprietary RIZONCONNECT connectivity platform, integrated active safety systems, comprehensive warranty and financing options as part of its overall ownership offering.
Editor’s comment: While RIZON’s new service combo body has been developed for the North American market, it illustrates an important trend for commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Fleet electrification will depend not only on battery technology and charging infrastructure, but on offering vocational bodies that allow operators to transition to zero-emission vehicles without changing established work practices. As South Africa’s municipal and utility fleets begin evaluating electric truck options, application-specific body configurations such as these are likely to become increasingly relevant.
Perhaps our government can also take note of the incentives being offered to buyers of these trucks in the USA. We need some form of incentives for our local South African operators who want to transition to zero-emission trucks. It’s not just about the operator and the OEM benefitting. It’s also – perhaps more – about securing a future for our planet and all who live on it.
Click on photographs to enlarge
