Harbinger Motors Announces Over $400M in Pre-Orders for Electric Trucks

Harbinger Motors, a trailblazing electric truck manufacturer based in Southern California, made an important announcement on May 21, 2024, at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The company revealed an impressive milestone: that it can now boast over 4,000 binding vehicle pre-orders, valued at more than $400 million.

Among the standout pre-orders is a substantial multi-year commitment from Bimbo Bakeries USA, as well as THOR Industries, the world’s leading recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer, whose renowned operating companies include Airstream, Jayco, Tiffin, and Thor Motor Coach.

Additionally, commercial vehicle dealers have demonstrated strong confidence in Harbinger’s cutting-edge technology. Notably, two of Freightliner’s largest dealers have placed considerable orders: Doggett Equipment Services Group with 500 units and Campbell Supply with 125 units.

Other major orders include GATR Truck Center with 500 units, ETHERO Truck + Energy with 200 units, Electric Commercial Vehicles (ECV) — an affiliate of Smyrna Truck — with 50 units, and more. Postal service operator Mail Management Services has also joined the ranks, securing 40 units.

Harbinger Reaches Major Milestone With Additional $13 Million Series A Funding

Harbinger announced the successful closure of an additional $13 million in Series A funding in Q4 of 2023. This latest infusion of capital comes from a combination of venture and strategic investors, including further investment from the Coca-Cola System Sustainability Fund, managed by Greycroft.

This latest investment brings Harbinger’s Series A total to an impressive $73 million. The initial $60 million was announced earlier this year, showcasing broad investor support for Harbinger’s innovative approach and market potential.

The additional funds will be strategically utilized to expand Harbinger’s EV manufacturing capacity and to gear up for the commercial start of production, set to launch in Q4 of 2024. This significant milestone sets the stage for Harbinger’s continued growth and commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions.

Harbinger Motors Revolutionizes the Electric Truck Industry with Innovative In-House Technology

Harbinger, driven by a stellar team of industry veterans from Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Anduril, SpaceX, Toyota, Honda, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, and more, is leading the charge in electric truck innovation.

The company has developed a proprietary electric platform, known as an electric vehicle stripped chassis, entirely from the ground up. This platform encompasses all major vehicle systems — designed and assembled in-house — including the powertrain, high voltage (HV) battery system, steering, brakes, and beyond.

This vertically integrated approach allows Harbinger to keep costs low while delivering a higher-performing, safer, and more durable EV solution compared to traditional electric freight trucks, which often rely on modified diesel and gasoline platforms. By manufacturing its own motors and battery packs, Harbinger Motors sets itself apart as the only electric truck maker to offer a more cost-effective and tailored solution than integrating standard off-the-shelf systems.

Harbinger’s electric vehicle stripped chassis is an innovative solution designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries by offering a versatile platform that can be easily customized and upfitted for a wide range of applications.

Once assembled, Harbinger’s electric chassis are sold to dealers, specialty upfitters, or directly to large fleet vehicle customers. The upfitting process, handled by third parties, outfits the chassis with commercial or specialty bodies, aligning with the traditional practices of leading gas and diesel incumbents like Ford and Freightliner.

One Platform Comes With Endless Possibilities

Most of the over 4,000 vehicle pre-orders will be upfitted into step vans, which are ubiquitous in large package delivery fleets. Other units will be transformed into class A motorhomes, emergency vehicles, and cutaway cabs. The latter includes only a cab, allowing upfitters to create custom-built payload areas for box trucks, shuttle buses, and more. Harbinger is collaborating with body partner Sevna to upfit the chassis into these versatile cutaway cabs.

Harbinger’s electric chassis caters to a variety of needs with three different wheelbases — 158 inches, 178 inches, and 208 inches — and four different gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs), spanning from Class 4 through Class 6. This flexibility ensures that clients can find the perfect fit for their specific requirements.

Key Specifications

Advanced 800V liquid-cooled battery system: Scalable in 35kWh increments, offering an impressive 200+ mile range to cover 90% of truck use cases.

Durability and longevity: Engineered for a 20-year lifespan and 450,000 miles of service, ensuring reliability over the long haul.

Top-tier safety and assistance: Packed with segment-leading safety features and driver assistance technologies for ultimate peace of mind.

Rapid DC fast charging: Achieve a full charge in just one hour, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Unmatched comfort: Boasts the handling and ride comfort akin to a passenger vehicle, redefining the driving experience.

Government Incentives Accelerate Adoption of Electric Vehicles in Commercial Fleets

The U.S. federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is offering up to $40,000 per vehicle in tax incentives for buyers or lessors of commercial electric vehicles. This incentive, effective from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2032, covers either 30% of the original purchase price of the vehicle minus the credit, or the price difference between the electric vehicle and an equivalent gas or diesel vehicle. Importantly, there is no limit on the number of vehicles sold or the total amount of money disbursed through this program.

Further bolstering this movement, state and local zero-emissions grants are providing substantial cost savings directly to customers. California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emissions Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) offers buyers grants ranging from approximately $30,000 to $85,000 for the purchase of clean vehicles.

These incentives are a game-changer for businesses looking to modernize their fleets and reduce their carbon footprint. The combined federal, state, and local support significantly lowers the barrier to entry, making it not only environmentally responsible but also financially smart to transition to electric vehicles.

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