Lightning Systems triples size of Colorado EV facility

Commercial EV supplier Lightning Systems is tripling the size of its facility in Loveland, Colorado. Lightning moved its headquarters, manufacturing and R&D into the former Hewlett-Packard/Agilent campus in southwest Loveland three years ago. The company recently took over the entire building, expanding its square footage from 45,000 to 142,000.

“Our mission is to provide commercial fleets with the world-class battery-electric and fuel-cell EV solutions they need to meet the new Zero Emissions Zone regulations that are being quickly implemented throughout the world,” said Lightning Systems CEO Tim Reeser. “In addition to the Zero Emissions Zone regulations, many fleets have adopted aggressive sustainability goals. These two market drivers are creating demand that will soon exceed the sum of EV makers’ abilities to produce vehicles, components, and charging solutions. Unlike most of the industry, we’re shipping vehicles now and rapidly expanding.”

Work on expanding the facility began in January, and included investment in new high-capacity vehicle and battery charging and testing systems, new fabrication and wiring-harness equipment, semi-automated centers for conversion, and powertrain testing and automation equipment. With the expansion, Lightning has nearly doubled its number of employees from 40 to 70.

Reeser said the new space is being used for expanded electric powertrain manufacturing and assembly for the Ford Transit, E-450, F-550, Class 6 truck, and Class 8 motor coach. This allows the previously occupied space to be fully dedicated to vehicle conversions, where the powertrains are installed into commercial EVs. 

Lightning also will be producing its new Lightning Mobile charger at the Loveland facility. Lightning Mobile, which made its debut last month, is a mobile DC fast charger. It is designed to be installed in a vehicle or trailer for mobile deployment and can be rapidly deployed to provide fast roadside and parking lot charging to support the operation of electric fleet vehicles.