Phoenix Cars LLC, d.b.a. Phoenix Motorcars, is a developer of zero emission, all-electric vehicles (EV) based in Anaheim, California,[5] United States, focused on the deployment of light- and medium-duty EVs into the fleet and transit markets.[6] The company was founded in 2002 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Yousuf LLC in 2009 and of EdisonFuture in 2020. Phoenix launched its all-electric 14-22 passenger shuttle bus with 100 mile range per charge in 2013. The bus is based on the versatile Ford E350/450 Series vehicle.[7]
In November 2023, Phoenix acquired the electric transit bus division (see Proterra ZX5) and associated battery leases of bankrupt bus company Proterra for $10M; Volvo bought the battery business proper.[8][9]
Restructuring and financing
On March 19, 2008, Phoenix Motorcars announced that it had completed a financing and restructuring, with Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Al Yousuf LLC, and Arlington, Virginia-based AES Corporation, as new investors, the departure of the Phoenix Motorcars’ original founders and the appointment of a new board of directors.[10]
In mid-2010, Al Yousuf LLC closed on a deal with AES Corporation that enabled Phoenix Motorcars to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Yousuf LLC.[11] This led to another restructuring of Phoenix Motorcars in less than 2 years, with the company switching its focus to its 3rd generation drive system targeted for buses and trucks on the Ford E350/E450 cutaway chassis.[11][12]
Production
Zero Emission Utility Shuttle – ZEUS
Phoenix launched its third product in 2013, an all-electric 14-22 passenger shuttle bus with 100-mile range per charge.[6]
This product achieved California Air Resources Board (CARB)[13][14] certification in July, 2014 in the 10,001–14,000 pound GVWR range. Along with its 100-mile range per charge, the ZEUS shuttle is capable of rapid charging via CHAdeMO or SAE standards. As of 2020 they were working with a number of Southern California airports to replace shuttles with their Zeus model.[15]
Phoenix Motor Inc. recently announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a new U.S. utility patent covering cutting edge low-floor electric bus architecture and integrated battery system design. [16]
Electric Flatbed Truck
Phoenix launched its electric Flatbed in 2015, which is also based on the Ford E350/450 Series, with 100 mile range per charge.
ZX5 electric bus
The ZX5 battery electric bus is built at the former Proterra plant in Greenville, South Carolina. Then, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall on September 5, 2024 for ZX5's produced from 2019-2022 on reports of smoke, software, and electrical related issues.[17]
External links
References
- Phoenix Motorcars SUT Futurecars.com, 2012-12-07, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- Phoenix Motorcars, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek Investing.businessweek.com, 2010-07-12, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- Electric Cars, Green Vehicle Phoenix Motorcars, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711785377/en/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-Phoenix-Motorcars-Enhances-Senior-Management-Team^
- Contact Us Phoenix Motor Cars, 2 December 2019, retrieved 2021-09-28^
- Home phoenixmotorcars.com^
- Phoenix Motorcars working on 14-passenger electric bus 26 April 2014^
- Katie Fehrenbacher. Phoenix Motor, CSI snap up Proterra assets Axios, Nov 14, 2023^
- Phoenix Motorcars Announces Successful Bid for the Proterra Transit Business Accesswire, 2023-11-14, retrieved 2023-11-22^
- Electric Cars, Green Vehicle Phoenix Motorcars, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- Phoenix Motorcars Introduces AWD Model Electric Pickup Evworld.Com, 2010-07-16, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- Electric Cars, Green Vehicle Phoenix Motorcars, retrieved 2013-05-03^
- The Phoenix Cars Electric Shuttle Bus Receives California Air Resources Board Approval 10 September 2014^
- Homepage | California Air Resources Board^
- Brianna Lawrence. Electric Shuttles are Taking Off at Airports ACTNews, 7 May 2020, retrieved 16 February 2021^
- https://www.morningstar.com/news/accesswire/1126260msn/phoenix-motor-granted-us-patent-for-groundbreaking-low-floor-electric-bus-battery-architecture^
- Proterra electric buses recalled for potential fire issue www.smartcitiesdive.com, retrieved 2026-04-01^