Ryder Adding Chanje Electric Vans to Its Fleets
Ryder will add 125 electric vans to its rental fleet before the end of the year.

California-based startup Chanje (pronounced "change") is set to deliver its first electric vans to Ryder, which will add them to its massive rental fleet. The two companies announced a deal in August that will make Ryder the main U.S. distributor for the startup's vehicles.
Ryder has ordered 125 electric cars from Chanje. It will make the vans available for rental in New York, California, and Illinois before the end of the year, meaning they will be among the first Chanje vehicles to hit U.S. roads.
The Chanje V8070 is a medium-duty commercial van, with a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds and 580 cubic feet of cargo space. Chanje estimates an average range of 100 miles from the 76-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack in everyday driving. Chanje is working with eMotorWerks to install 240-volt Level 2 AC charging stations at Ryder facilities so the vehicles will have a place to charge.
While it is based in California, Chanje has close ties to Hong Kong-based FDG Electric Vehicles Limited. The peculiar spelling of "Chanje" is actually a nod to FDG's Chinese Changjiang brand. Chanje leaned on FDG's engineering resources to help design its van, while simultaneously partnering with Ryder on U.S. distribution. Ryder will essentially act as a middleman, leasing or renting Chanje vans to customers.
The first vans will be imported from China, but Chanje hopes to eventually establish a U.S. manufacturing base. The company is looking to repurpose an existing factory, preferably near a port or other shipping hub. In August, Chanje vice president James Chen said Los Angeles was high on the company's list of potential locations.
In the U.S., Chanje may be able to find a niche in the commercial vehicle sector, as most companies seem to be focusing on larger electric commercial vehicles. But that may change (no pun intended) if Mercedes-Benz decides to bring its upcoming electric Sprinter van here, if the electric vans Ford is developing with DHL in Germany are exported.
-
RELATEDIONITY Set to Charge European Electric Highway RevolutionSeveral automakers have teamed up to create the IONITY electric charging network across EuropeREAD NOW
-
RELATEDU.S. House Bill on Track to Dismantle Electric Car Tax CreditIf the bill passes, the future of EV adoption in the U.S. may be painful.READ NOW
-
RELATEDChevy Bolt EV Outsells Tesla Model S in October, Making It Top-Selling Electric Car of AutumnThe Chevy Bolt EV has fallen into the hearts of the American family.READ NOW
-
RELATEDDaimler E-Fuso Vision One Hints at Future Electric Commercial TruckDaimler is serious about electric work vehicles.READ NOW
-
RELATEDVolkswagen Will Build Electric Trucks, Buses by 2022The move is part of a $1.7-billion technology investment.READ NOW