March 11, 2010—The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved Electric Vehicle International’s (EVI) fully electric return-to-base medium and heavy-duty trucks.

Stockton, Calif.-based EVI’s freightliner custom chassis model EVI-WI and its freightliner M2 model EVI-MD are California-certified zero emission vehicles. The vehicles allow for fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs compared to conventional diesel trucks, according to EVI.

Steve Riley, EVI vice president of sales and marketing, said the approval from the CARB and the DOT will allow customers to be eligible for state and federal rebates and incentives.

The CARB, through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, will offer rebates of $20,000 per vehicle beginning mid-March 2010. The rebates will be available on a first-come basis, lower the upfront costs and accelerate the payback period for fleet operators and other customers, according to EVI.

Visit evi-usa.com for more information.