Vicinity Motor Corp. announced that it has received orders from two additional paratransit bus manufacturers, Diamond Coach and Coach & Equipment, for the VMC Optimal E1 Electric Chassis.

Olathe Fleet Solutions (Olathe) facilitated the orders for the five VMC Optimal E1 Electric Chassis.

The chassis will expand VMC Optimal's reach in the paratransit bus market that serves elderly and disabled federal transit programs and other passenger transportation market segments, according to the news release.

The electric vehicle chassis will begin to be delivered in the first quarter of 2022 and continue through the second quarter.

"The partnership with Olathe, a leading distributor of VMC Optimal-EV's all-electric product line, continues to expand - adding two more world class bus body manufacturers to our growing list of Optimal EV body partners," said William Trainer, founder/CEO of Vicinity Motor Corp. "The Optimal E1 design is superior from a safety, technology, and integration standpoint, which are all critical factors for body manufacturers to consider." 

The Optimal E1 features a between the frame rail battery installation configuration that provides safety and protection of the Proterra Powered battery pack.

The frame rails also protect high-voltage cables and battery cooling lines. Additionally, the positioning of the drive motor behind the rear axle provides more weight distribution and traction.

"We continue to see increasing interest from customers seeking zero-emission EVs for paratransit, commercial trucks and buses, ambulances, recreational vehicles and fleet trucks as the VMC Optimal EVs flexible design can suit a wide variety of potential vehicle applications. We look forward to additional order announcements in the months ahead as we continue to ramp sales of our all-electric vehicle line," Trainer said.