UCR collaboration brings in electric truck manufacturer

Several years of economic development support by UC Riverside culminated this week with the announcement that a leading innovator in medium-duty electric trucks will establish its global headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Riverside.

George Gebhart, Voltu CEO

Voltu Motor Inc., an Argentinian company recognized for its sustainable and versatile electric vehicles, expects to create over 400 direct jobs within four years, eventually scaling up to 700 positions and generating over 1,200 indirect jobs. Voltu's facility is projected to produce 14,000 vehicles in its first three years, generating $1.6 billion in revenue.

"Riverside offers not just a logistics hub but also an ecosystem aligned with our values of trust, prosperity, and sustainability," said George Gebhart, CEO of Voltu Motor Inc. "Our journey here started with UCR's incredible support, demonstrating Riverside's immense potential as a green technology powerhouse. Together, we can create jobs, drive innovation, and protect our most precious asset-our planet."

UCR's Role

UCR played a multifaceted role in attracting Voltu to Riverside. The university's College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology, or CE-CERT, and its Office of Technology Partnerships, or OTP, provided comprehensive support to the company over the past four years. This included navigating California's unique landscape of regulations and incentives, securing vehicle technology certifications from the California Air Resources Board. or CARB, providing testing facilities and independent verification of the vehicle's performance, and facilitating introductions to city officials and other stakeholders.

Rodolfo Torres and Nicole Cleary

"UCR's mission is to foster innovation and create opportunities for our community," said Rodolfo Torres, UCR Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. "Voltu's decision to establish its headquarters in Riverside exemplifies the success of our partnerships and programs, which bring cutting-edge companies to our region."

Nicole Cleary, UCR's project advisor for the university's Opportunities to Advance Sustainability, Innovation, and Social Inclusion, or SoCal OASISTM, program, emphasized the university's support in helping Voltu adapt its business model to California's market.

"Through our Build to Scale and SBDC (Small Business Development Center) programs, we have guided them through customer discovery, building partnerships and clientele, finding an ideal manufacturing headquarters, pursuing funding opportunities and mobilizing industry and academic partners to support the region's upcoming workforce needs.," Cleary said. "Our programs aim to ensure that companies like Voltu have the tools to succeed while bringing high-quality jobs to the Inland Empire."

Addressing Market Needs

Voltu's medium-duty electric trucks address a critical market gap, offering a practical alternative to diesel-powered fleet vehicles. Notably, Voltu's vehicles do not require specialized charging stations. Instead, they can plug into standard 220-volt outlets, making them a cost-effective and versatile solution for fleet operators transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

The company builds fully electric powertrain platforms fitted to the Ford truck chassis. The city of Riverside has already committed to purchasing 20 Voltu electrified Ford F-350 crew cab four-wheel drive trucks for use by its utilities, streets, and parks field crews. These trucks, with a range of 350 miles per charge, will replace older, diesel-powered vehicles.

Voltu also helps meet the growing demand spurred by California state law, which requires municipalities to add zero-emission vehicles to their fleets as a percentage of purchases each year. Currently, 50% of municipal vehicle purchases must be zero-emission, increasing to 100% by January 1, 2027.

Riverside's Green Tech Ecosystem

Voltu's arrival solidifies Riverside's reputation as a hub for clean technology innovation. The Inland Southern California region is already home to several green industry leaders, including electric motorcycle manufacturer Ryvid and luxury EV maker Karma Automotive.

"We are cultivating a thriving green tech ecosystem that includes everything from vehicles to battery manufacturing," Cleary said. "UCR's partnerships with companies like Voltu are driving this transformation, making Riverside a leader in sustainable innovation."

"Through these initiatives, we're creating a robust talent pipeline," Torres added. "Our graduates will lead the design and production of Voltu's next-generation vehicles, driving both innovation and economic growth in the region."

Header photo: Voltu electric engine and powertrain system with Ford F350 truck chassis parked in front of Riverside City Hall.(photo curtesy of Voltu)

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