Bus and transportation services provider Model 1 Commercial Vehicles signed an unprecedented contract with the California Vanpool Authority (CalVans), which purchased 403 new Ford E-TransitⓇ vans.

CalVans is a public transit agency that meets the needs of California commuters by offering a vanpool program. It connects residents in areas with low population density with employment centers and is especially critical to meeting the needs of the farming community and its workers. 

The New Additions to CalVans

CalVans’ fleet of Ford E-transit vans was upfitted by Forest River Bus. The fleet includes both 12-person and nine-person passenger vans upfitted for different configurations and route needs, including ADA compliance and room for passenger bags and tools.

The ADA passenger units are fully tested and certified by Forest River Bus, BraunAbility, Q’Straint, and Freedman Seating Co. to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements. 

Before the purchase of the Ford E-Transit units from Model 1, CalVans’ fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles included many traditional-fuel units that had exceeded the recommended lifecycle or were reaching end-of-life. CalVans struggled to find parts to maintain old gas-fueled models or traditional unit options to meet timing demands.

While many vehicle dealers were still recovering from pandemic-related supply chain issues, Model 1 was investing not only in EV inventory, but in EV infrastructure, product support and technical training. Model 1 was poised to meet CalVans’ timing and deliver an entire fleet of Ford E-Transit vans.

“The work Model 1 and Forest River Bus are doing to support California Vanpool Authority’s electrification journey — enabled by our class-leading E-Transit vans — will bring measurable cost savings in addition to reducing their carbon footprint,” said Tim Baughman, GM of Ford Pro North America. “Ford Pro is proud to provide electric solutions to help accelerate business productivity, lower total cost of ownership, and make EVs more accessible to rural areas where clean transportation alternatives are needed.” 

Model 1 represents more than 20 commercial vehicles(bus, van, EV, and other alternative fuel) manufacturers across the country.