Xos Trucks Inc., a manufacturer of fully electric commercial vehicles, announced a strategic distribution agreement on Feb. 11 it with Thompson Truck Centers. The partnership includes an initial purchase order of 100 trucks, with the mutual goal to order up to 1,000 trucks over the next three years, the companies said in a statement.

“As a strategic partner, Thompson will help us grow our footprint and build our presence in the Southeast,” said Xos CEO and cofounder Dakota Semler. “Conversations with additional distributors are ongoing and in development.”  

“Xos is a clear leader in helping fleets transition from diesel to electric,” said Mark McDonell, COO of Thompson Machinery, the parent company of Thompson Truck Centers based in Nashville, Tenn. “In light of recent regulatory changes around electric vehicles, it’s important for Thompson to deliver innovative products to our customers that will meet the new standards of zero-emissions for transportation.”

On Monday, Reuters reported that Xos, which rebranded from Thor in 2019, was in merger talks with the NextGen Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), to take the company public. A merger may materialize in February, according to the report. In August 2020, Xos announced a fundraising round of $20 million from a group of investors including Proeza Ventures, a mobility-focused VC firm.

Among the recently expanding market of electric commercial vehicles, Los Angeles-based Xos is looking to establish a niche in the medium-duty sector. It’s electric X-Platform 1 is designed to accommodate medium-duty bodies, wheelbases, and range requirements up to 200 miles. Its customers include UPS and cash-management firm Loomis.