LOVELAND, CO—EV specialist Lightning eMotors has completed a 102,000-square-foot expansion of its manufacturing facility here, in order to double production of zero-emission vehicles and powertrains to 1,500 by the end of 2022. The company's goal is to produce 20,000 units by 2025.

This expansion is part of a $5 million investment designed to increase manufacturing efficiency, as well as overall capacity. The funds have been used for the installation of cobots and man-machine interface stations to enable consistency amongst the technicians. Lightning eMotors' current lineup includes electric conversions of everything from Class 3 cargo vans to Class A motor coaches, as well as electric emergency vehicles like a BEV ambulance it created alongside REV Group.

In the past, the company primarily specialized in electric conversions of platforms developed by other OEMs like Ford, Chevrolet, and Izuzu. However, in early January, Lightning eMotors revealed that it will offer customers purpose-built EVs on its own proprietary platform as well.

The company’s latest agreement includes General Motors, which made Lightning eMotors the first GM Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer to develop 100 percent electric Class 3 through 6 commercial vehicles.