Spartan Motors has signed an agreement with Motiv Power Systems to supply battery-electric chassis products for class 4-6 Utilimaster step vans for three years, the vehicle manufacturer announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Motiv will supply its EPIC all-electric chassis that will allow Spartan to produce zero-emission Utilimaster vans for commercial fleet customers. Motiv's chassis provides universal charging compatibility and secure remote telematics and diagnostics. A walk-in van equipped with it can provide a range of 100 to 150 miles per charge and up to 30% gradeability, according to Spartan Motors.

"Our key customers have been asking Spartan to provide an EV solution," said Daryl Adams, Spartan's president and chief executive officer. "Our exclusive supply agreement with Motiv answers their question and demonstrates Spartan's ability to innovate and advance the markets we serve, and we believe it places us ahead of the curve in the EV fleet market."

There are more than 800 purpose-built Utilimaster alternative fuel fleet vehicles on the road today, Adams said.

The companies have been working together to develop electrified vehicles.

Utilimaster and Motiv worked together in early 2017 to develop a concept battery-electric walk-in van. They also jointly integrated the EV requirements into Utilimaster’s final stage chassis and body manufacturing processes, which is located at its manufacturing facility in Bristol, Indiana.