On Capitol Hill, Senator Bayh Unveils All-Electric Delivery Vehicle Made in Indiana

Navistar truck will be built in Elkhart County; project will produce hundreds of new Hoosier jobs; reduce our dependency on oil

September 30, 2009 -- Washington -- Senator Evan Bayh, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, today joined executives from Navistar, Inc., to unveil the company’s new all-electric, light-duty truck to be built exclusively in Elkhart County, Indiana.

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Navistar officials demonstrated their vehicle to Bayh, who discussed Indiana’s role as a national leader in making the energy-efficient, high-tech vehicles and components of the future.

“At a time when the economy is struggling, supporting breakthrough technologies like Navistar’s all-electric truck will create jobs for our state and help free us from our dependency on energy imports,” said Bayh. “I was proud to accompany President Obama to Wakarusa last month to announce the federal commitment to build this all-electric vehicle in Elkhart County. Indiana continues to be a leader in the development and production of advanced technologies that will provide important benefits to the entire nation. Hoosiers have been at the epicenter of today’s automotive industry, and this technology gives us an opportunity to be at the forefront of tomorrow’s as well.”

In August, Bayh and President Barack Obama travelled to Navistar’s Wakarusa manufacturing facility to announce the award of a $39 million federal grant to develop and build the all-electric delivery vehicle.

When fully charged, the vehicle can travel about 100 miles and produces zero tailpipe emissions. The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, made possible by the economic recovery package, provides for initial production of 400 units beginning in 2010 and will create hundreds of new jobs in the Elkhart areas as the market grows.

Earlier this year, Bayh urged the Department of Energy to speed the release of billions of dollars in loan and grant money to support and develop a robust advanced vehicle industry in the United States. He led the push for full funding of electric drive transportation provisions in the economic recovery package, including plug-in battery and hybrid electric vehicles and related electric transportation and infrastructure provisions.

Source: Senator Evan Bayh