Lightning eMotors to Liquidate Assets

Zero-emission medium-duty commercial and electric vehicle technology provider Lightning eMotors Inc. is liquidating its assets.

Cordes & Company, in its capacity as receiver of Lightning eMotors, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of the company for $12.6 million in cash, subject to adjustment. The sale is free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, interests, and liabilities, according to a press release.

The closing of the transaction is contingent upon the approval and authorization of the District Court of Larimer County, Colo., with the funds received from the closing of the transactions being distributed by the receiver to the company's creditors pursuant to their applicable priorities and as ordered by the court.

Lightning's shareholders will not receive any distributions in the receivership or as a result of the transaction, while the buyer under the Asset Purchase Agreement does not intend to carry on the business of the company, including the business of selling and servicing of zero-vehicle emission vehicles.

Lighting’s Bankruptcy Filing

In December, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved bankruptcy advisor Cordes & Company as the receiver of all assets owned Lightning eMotors.

The filing came one day after Cupola Infrastructure Income Fund LLLP filed suit in Larimer County District Court seeking appointment of a receiver to sell the company’s assets. Lightning said in its SEC filing that it agreed to the motion and proposed order to appoint Cordes and Company as the receiver.

Cupola’s filing with Larimer County District Court listed several instances of default by Lightning.

Also, in September, Lightning received notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) indicating the staff determined to suspend trading immediately and commence proceedings to delist the shares of common stock and the redeemable warrants of the company from the NYSE.

The decision was reached by the NYSE staff because it had fallen below the NYSE’s continued listing standard requiring listed companies to maintain an average global market capitalization of at least $15 million over a consecutive 30-trading day period, according to the filing.

The company requested an appeal to the proposed delisting and was granted a hearing in December at which time Lightning’s common stock remained listed on the NYSE, but trading in the company’s common stock and warrants on the NYSE remained suspended as of Sept. 18.

Lighting had also reportedly struggled with supply-chain issues related to battery supply.

Lighting’s History

Lightning eMotors has provided specialized and sustainable fleet solutions since 2009, deploying complete zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) solutions for commercial fleets since 2018 — including Class 3 cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, Class 4 and 5 cargo vans and shuttle buses, Class 4 Type A school buses, Class 6 work trucks, Class 7 city buses, and motorcoaches.

In August, Lightning eMotors announced its fielded units deployed to commercial electric vehicle fleets surpassed five million real-world miles, at which time the company noted it had delivered over 600 zero-emission commercial vehicles to customers, dealers, and upfitters.

During its history, Lightning had partnered with ABC Companies to convert diesel motorcoaches to battery-powered vehicles, attained ISO 9001 certification, and won several high-scale contracts including at ACE Parking’s San Diego Airport operation.