Tropos Motors Partners with National Auto Fleet Group and Sourcewell to Streamline Competitive Purchasing for its ABLE Municipal Electric Pickup Trucks
Over 50,000 Sourcewell members to leverage competitive bidding process and gain attractive pricing for the leading line of electric compact utility vehicles
San Jose, Calif. - October 10, 2018 –Continuing to be the technology leader in street-legal, eCUV (electric compact utility vehicles) market, Tropos Motors has signed the National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) as its exclusive U.S. dealer to public fleets to sell the entire line of the Tropos ABLE eCUV line of vehicles and accessories. These public fleets, operated by cities, counties, states, and public colleges and universities, will soon be able to purchase, build vehicles and obtain quotes on the Tropos ABLE family of products listed through Sourcewell from the NAFG Digital Purchasing Platform.
“Sourcewell provides an easy, streamlined way for public fleet managers to purchase vehicles at volume discounts while complying with competitive bidding guidelines. We’re very proud to add the innovative Tropos Motors ABLE and ABLE XR line to our competitive database,” said Mike Domnin, Contract Manager at Sourcewell.
Managing a collective competitive bidding process Sourcewell greatly expands the Tropos sales network by combining the purchasing power of over 50,000 fleet members, to bring customers across the United States streamlined access to the the Tropos ABLE and its Easy-Swap bed packages. Additionally, Sourcewell customers will receive favorable pricing from NAFG and Tropos Motors. Sourcewell facilitates $3 billion in annual asset purchases using its cooperative contracts. As the exclusive public fleet dealer for Tropos, National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) sold 143,000 total vehicles through its dealerships and the Sourcewell platform last year alone. NAFG is a high volume prolific seller of light and medium duty vehicles.
“The ABLE is compact, but it is not your grandfather’s golf cart, it’s a bonafide truck in a smaller form-factor. That’s what intrigued us,” said Jessie Cooper, Account Manager at NAFG. “These vehicles are tough enough for big jobs, yet small enough to get into tight spaces. Considering their ability to quickly transform from one type of vehicle to another with Easy-Swap, it’s perfect for smaller fleets that require multipurposes solutions, indoor and out. We are pleased they are representing our innovative line of electric commercial vehicles.”
“Based on a conservative total cost of operation scenario, fleets can expect to save $20,000 or more, over ten years with the ABLE XR compared to deploying a compact pickup truck or van,” said Jeffrey Esfeld, Director Of National Fleet Sales & Business Development for Tropos Motors. “Compact pickup trucks are the lifeblood of municipal facility operations, and now they have a true electric option with the ABLE XR and its range of 160 miles. For public fleets with low duty cycles the ABEL pencils out financially for fleets to adopt all-electric vehicles.”
The competitively priced ABLE and ABLE XR (extended range) chassis (featuring a 26kWh lithium ion battery pack) accommodate a variety of bed packages, from cargo, pickup, tradesman, and street-sweeper, to first responder vehicles for fire fighting and delivering emergency medical services. Both vehicle chassis are also compatible with the ABLE Easy-Swap option, which allows for customers to change out their bed packages and transform the ABLE to suit various activities, throughout the day, week or year. With an off-road payload capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, a turning radius of 13 feet, 775 ft-lbs of rear wheel torque and an estimated 168 MPGe, the Tropos ABLE and ABLE XR are extremely capable and efficient.
“Compact utility vehicles are the workhorses of facilities campuses, factories and distribution centers, whether they are run by cities, schools or non-profits,” said John Bautista, founder and CEO of Tropos Motors. “The ABLE XR has reinvented the street legal utility vehicle category to replace larger vehicles as the perfect municipal electric pickup truck or other work uses with one of our seven different body types. Nine more bed packages are in pre-production and will be introduced next year. With Sourcewell’s dedication to supporting these organizations in their purchasing decisions, and NAFG’s sales record, we look forward to Sourcewell members across the country learning first hand how safe, reliable and powerful the ABLE electric CUVs are.”
Since opening up sales with its first dealers in April, Tropos has sold ABLE vehicles to a variety of customers ranging from private businesses to nonprofits, including The University of Wisconsin, the City of Morgan Hill, and the City of Fairfield, and Maple Leaf RV Park.
About Tropos Motors
Tropos Motors™, Inc. is a Silicon Valley based start-up that manufacturers and distributes all-electric, street-legal vehicles, specializing in utility e-LSVs—electric low speed vehicles—and trucks. These vehicles are designed for corporate, fleet, first-responder, agriculture, last-mile delivery and construction applications. Tropos employs the latest EV technology, experienced engineering and modern design aesthetics. The Tropos Motors ABLE™ is a full line of durable, versatile and available eCUVs (electric Compact Utility Vehicles). The Tropos Motors product line is capable of handling large payloads and towing capacities, and can operate in extremely tight quarters with a short wheelbase and turning radius. Tropos Motors eCUVs can be operated indoors, outdoors and off-road. Available in countless configurations, their trucks are ready to work as hard as you do, no matter the job. For more information, please visit http://tropostech.com.
About Sourcewell
Sourcewell (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance, NJPA) is a self-supporting government organization, partnering with education, government, and nonprofits to boost student and community success. Created in 1978 as one of Minnesota’s nine service cooperatives, we offer training and shared services to our central-Minnesota members. Throughout North America, we offer a cooperative purchasing program with over 300 awarded vendors on contract. Sourcewell is driven by service and the ability to strategically reinvest in member communities.
About National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG)
As an industry leading network with 50 years of experience selling and servicing public entities, National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) was awarded a fifty-state vehicle contract covering numerous manufacturers and utility body companies with related accessories that are utilized in all public fleets.
Media Contact:
Technica Communications for Tropos Motors
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
lisaann@technicacomunications.com
408-806-9626
Fleet Inquiries:
Jeffrey Esfeld
Tropos Technologies
Jeff@TroposTech.com
206-228-5400
