Daimler Truck announced the first rollouts of its electric Rizon brand of electric trucks. The first units went to customers in California. Daimler said more deliveries of new trucks are scheduled in upcoming weeks.

A Zero-Emission Solution

Rizon trucks offer fleets clean-operating solutions for urban and last-mile deliveries. The trucks are capable of routes of up to 160 miles (250 km) per day, with customizable configurations and zero-emission certification, according to the OEM.

Rizon is certified as a zero-emission solution by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB). Rizon trucks also comply fully with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

“I’m very excited the first Rizon trucks are now in operation,” said Andreas Deuschle, global head, Rizon Truck. “I congratulate our valued customers for their decision to pioneer the electrification of commercial vehicle transportation in the United States, and I am very proud that Rizon is their brand of choice. Being part of the Daimler Truck Group provides us with experience and knowledge coming from our electric products of trucks and buses around the globe. Our all‐new Rizon trucks inherited all this expertise which results in a very mature system: innovative eAxle concept, latest safety features, a wide variety of body applications, and a flexible battery concept.”

Velocity EV Providing Sales and Support

Rizon trucks are distributed exclusively by Velocity EV and are currently available at California Trucks Centers and Velocity Truck Centers. Velocity EV is based in Whittier, California, and is a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group.

In a complementary press release on the truck rollouts, Velocity noted that Rizon trucks can be customized with several different load body options for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries.

The trucks can also be equipped with an electric power take-off (ePTO) controllable from the cab, these trucks offer added versatility for specialized equipment such as reefer belt drives and hydraulic pumps.  

Velocity also noted that the initial deployment of Rizon trucks in California includes a diverse range of customers embracing sustainable transportation solutions. These include: 

• LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN): As the lead agency for the City’s environmental programs and initiatives, LASAN is deploying seven e18L Rizon trucks with stake bed bodies to facilitate the delivery of home trash bins to Los Angeles residents. 

• Goodwill Industries of San Diego County: Supporting its Southern California donation centers and thrift stores, Goodwill is integrating an e18L Rizon dry van box truck into its fleet to bolster logistics efficiency. 

• Diamond Environmental: Southern California-based equipment rental and onsite services company, Diamond Environmental, is deploying four e18L Rizon trucks to deliver and service portable restrooms, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions in the communities it serves. 

• Ecorecycling: To transport thousands of pounds of clothing and book donations from the local community to its sorting warehouse, Ecorecycling is deploying three e18L Rizon dry van trucks into its Northern California routes. 

• Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing: To provide California businesses with accessible zero-emission commercial vehicle solutions, Velocity has five e18L Rizon box trucks available for immediate rental or lease. 

"The shift to electrification is typically a large undertaking for fleets,” said Alex Voets, general manager of Velocity EV. “But our customers are pleased the Rizon Trucks can use inexpensive charging hardware and are finding the trucks are easy to operate. It’s great to see fleets deploying their first Rizon trucks."

Benefits Tailored for Fast Fleet Adoption

Rizon trucks offer a range of benefits tailored to urban delivery applications, Velocity said. These include competitive pricing, telematics, flexible financing from Daimler Truck Financial Services, and a class-leading warranty – five years/75,000 miles for the powertrain, chassis and cab, and five years/120,000 miles for the batteries.

Rizon trucks can be charged by both inexpensive level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging. Medium (M) and Long (L) range battery configurations allow fleet operators to choose the best price-to-range option for their typical routes. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with Daimler's advanced active safety system and four-stage regenerative braking, enabling drivers to easily adjust it for energy conservation to extend the brake life and driving range. 

Rizon trucks purchased in California qualify for a base voucher of $60,000 per vehicle through the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), further incentivizing the transition to sustainable transportation solutions.

To participate in the HVIP voucher program, fleet operators must work with an HVIP-approved dealer which submits the voucher request on the fleet's behalf for the Rizon truck.