XL Hybrids, Inc. has received test funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the clean energy business’s implementation of the XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System on the Isuzu Reach.

Test funding is provided by DOE via its Small Business Vouchers Pilot (SBV), which is designed to help clean energy small businesses overcome specific technical challenges and support the nation’s clean energy economy, according to the company.

Testing validation and analysis of its XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System for the walk-in commercial vans will be performed at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill.

“The Reach commercial van from Isuzu and Utilimaster is the first diesel-powered vehicle with the XL3 powertrain,” said Ed Lovelace, chief technology officer for XL Hybrids. “This recognition and funding for collaboration with the DOE further reinforces the value of our XL3 technology in the clean energy ecosystem. The award demonstrates the DOE’s understanding that the XL3 product has the potential for significantly increasing the market penetration of electrified solutions into the commercial vehicle sector.”

SBV matches select clean energy small businesses with experts from the national labs, and provides businesses vouchers that they can exchange for national lab technical assistance.

Reach vans with XL Hybrids’ technology appeal to national delivery service companies, public sector and corporate fleets. The XL3 hybrid system is available on the Reach van with 2,500 pounds payload capacity with the XL3 system installed.