Lightning eMotors announced that its Class 3 Lightning ZEV3 all-electric passenger van is Buy America certified.

This certification, along with Lightning's recently announced Altoona Testing certification, makes the Lightning ZEV3 fully eligible for funding through the $4 billion Federal Transit Administration Low- and No-Emissions grant program, according to Lightning eMotors' news release.

The company said this positions Lightning's products for other incentives such as the Federal Aviation Administration's zero-emission airport shuttle program (Buy America).

The availability of these funds will allow fleets to transition to electric vehicles more quickly, helping organizations and companies to lower their carbon footprint.

To access this funding, which includes $1 billion in 2023, zero- or low-emission transit vehicles must be both Buy America certified and pass Altoona Testing to be eligible for purchase or lease using these FTA funds.

*We believe it is important that our high-quality electric vehicles support American jobs. We purposely look for US-based component and subcomponent manufacturers and suppliers and are thrilled to be Buy American Act certified in formal recognition of our American supply chain," said Chelsea Ramm, Lightning Motors' VP of procurement. "Additionally, our larger, Class 4 Lightning ZEV4 passenger models have also passed our internal Buy America audit and we look forward to earning certification through independent verification on this model as well.”

Both the Lightning ZEV3 two- and three-battery passenger vans achieved Buy America Certification, which requires the cost of the components and subcomponents produced in the U.S. to be more than 70% of the total cost to manufacture the vehicle.

Internal and filler independent verification showed that over 80% of the manufacturing cost of ZEV3 models in both battery configurations came from American materials.

"Achieving Buy America and Altoona testing certification makes the ZEV3 fully eligible for currently available FT grants and many state-level EV fleet grants, helping existing customers further expand their EV operations and new customers begin their EV transition," said Nick Bettis, Lightning eMotors' VP of marketing. "Lightning stands out as a commercial EV manufacturer having earned both these certifications and is now uniquely positioned to help transit fleet operators take advantage of FTA funding now and over the next four years."

Currently in use within fleets across North America for microtransit and shuttle services, the Lightning ZEV3 passenger van is equipped with an all-electric drivetrain. The van is powered by thermally managed batteries.

Lightning's ZEV3 passenger van has up to 200 miles of range and comes standard with both Level 2 AC charging and DC Fast Charge capabilities.

The first Lightning ZEV3 was deployed in 2018. To date, more than 300 Lightning ZEV3 vans have been fielded accumulating more than 1.8 million real-world miles.

"Buy America certification is yet another tool Lightning offers its customers to make the transition to electric vehicles both seamless and beneficial to their business," said Bettis. "Lightning offers a complete package, from purchasing to fleet management, and we are proud to support our customers throughout the entire EV ecosystem."