Vicinity Motor Corp. announced that it has received an order from Sustainability Partners LLC (SP) for four Vicinity Lightning electric buses via Soderholm Sales & Leasing Inc. (Soderholm), according to the company's news release.

The Vicinity Lightning shuttle buses will be used at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, which serves 12 million passengers per year. The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation will utilize SP's Electric Vehicles as a Service (EVaaS) program to finance the conversion of traditional government fleets to Vicinity's electric vehicles.

"As the State of Hawaii works to meet its sustainability goals and accelerate fleet electrification, our EVaaS program replaces outdated and costly fleet infrastructure with modern electrified solutions like the Vicinity Lightning," said Thomas Cain, CEO/founder of Sustainability Partners. "SP can pay for 100% of the purchase price while concurrently ensuring the vehicles are continually maintained in a state of good repair with embedded long-term support from SSL and Vicinity. We look forward to providing Hawaii and its largest airport an electric solution with a uniquely structured, month-to-month use-based service alternative to the traditional purchase of government fleets."

Soderholm will facilitate the sale and provide long-term technical and maintenance support for the project. The order of four new electric buses is scheduled for delivery in 2023, according to Vicinity.

"We continue to see significant interest from regional and international airports for EV passenger shuttle services given their inherent advantages," said William Trainer, founder/CEO of Vicinity. "State and airport authorities are increasingly concerned by air quality impacts to local health from traditional gas and diesel buses at airport curbsides, exposing passengers to increased levels of air pollution. Today, over 40 airports in the U.S — including Honolulu — are participating in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Sustainability Plan to integrate sustainability into airport planning. Progressive airports are including a shift to cleaner shuttle bus options to reduce emissions and address community needs in their strategy."