Newsroom

Lawrence, Kansas – April 19, 2025 – Optimal Electric Vehicles (Optimal EV) is excited to announce the deployment of two of its low-floor electric (LFE) shuttle buses into service on Lawrence Transit's interlined Routes 2 and 3. These routes, connecting Central Station and Downtown to North Iowa/Timberedge Road, collectively provide approximately 90,000 rides annually and operating over 600 weekday miles. 

Good morning, We are thrilled to share some exciting milestones and updates from Optimal-EV! Here is a look at what has been happening:

At the recent ZEB Con event, Optimal EV’s Executive Vice President, Jeffrey Hiatt, took part in the "Ask an OEM" Roundtable alongside industry peers, Javier Hernandez (Director, National Sales at Gillig), Mark Fisher (Director, National Sales at New Flyer), Jason Yan (Director Sales Operations, RIDE), and Jonathan Beaulieu (Cofounder of Letenda). The discussion centered around the challenges facing bus OEMs in North America, including unprecedented demand, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating pricing. One of the standout moments of the roundtable was when Jeff was asked, "What makes Optimal EV different from the other medium-duty manufacturers that are no longer around or are currently struggling?"

Plymouth, Michigan, July 26, 2024 – Optimal EV LLC, Optimal-EV, the market leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of zero-emission electric low-floor shuttle buses and related mobility solutions announced today its Class 4 S1 and E1 all-electric cutaway products received Altoona testing certification. Altoona testing is the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) longstanding testing procedure for buses. Optimal EVs S1 is the first, Buy America compliant low-floor battery-electric Class 4 bus that has passed Altoona testing. 

Optimal EV and Fontaine Modification Work Truck & EV Solutions introduce a repower solution that seamlessly converts conventional gasoline- or diesel-powered trucks and buses to zero-emissions electric power. Fontaine will integrate the E1-R into a wide range of commercial vehicle applications including school bus, shuttle bus, delivery vans and specialty vehicles at its network of post-production truck modification centers.

We were excited to be at the School Transportation News Expo in Reno, NV where we displayed our E1 electric cutaway chassis alongside our friends at Olathe Fleet Solutions.

We're proud to welcome Jeff Hiatt to our leadership group at Optimal-EV! Jeff brings a wealth of expertise and experience from his 20+ years in operations leadership, lean manufacturing, and specialty vehicle manufacturing.

We are thrilled to announce we've unveiled our initial product offering at the world’s most comprehensive public transportation showcase. The long-awaited return of APTA's (American Public Transportation Association) TRANSform Conference & EXPO served as the ideal platform to launch our brand and products, in addition to showcasing some of our valued partners.

Project Arrow highlights hundreds of advanced technology companies around the world, making it an especially exciting collaboration for Optimal-EV as we aim to solidify our place among the technology leaders of the automotive world. Our roots in this industry run deep, and continue to grow as we team up with more amazing global partners like the APMA.

Integrating Optimal’s industry-leading powertrain technology with Olathe’s sales and distribution capabilities, delivering battery-electric chassis to commercial fleets

Proterra to provide industry-leading battery technology and charging systems for Optimal’s new all-electric S1LF Low-Floor Shuttle Bus

Optimal Electric Vehicles, LLC. (Optimal-EV) enters vehicle manufacturing with their battery electric S1LF Low-Floor Shuttle Bus. The S1LF integrates a quasi-purpose-built Ford E450 chassis platform, which has been fully optimized with the vehicle body and achieves a low step-in height without kneeling the suspension. The all-electric S1LF will feature an ADA compliant entry ramp for paratransit operations and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,500 lbs., with no reduction in carrying capacity.