Kansas City, USA — While much of the electric vehicle spotlight remains on passenger cars, a major transformation is quietly reshaping ports, warehouses, and distribution centers across North America. Orange EV, a U.S.-based manufacturer of heavy-duty electric trucks, is leading this shift by replacing diesel-powered yard vehicles with zero-emission Class 8 electric trucks.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, Orange EV specializes in electric terminal tractors designed specifically for industrial yard operations. Unlike long-haul electric trucks, Orange EV’s vehicles operate in controlled environments, eliminating common concerns such as range limitations, public charging access, and unreliable service networks.
Purpose-Built Electric Yard Trucks
Orange EV manufactures fully electric Class 8 yard trucks, including its flagship e-TRIEVER® and the heavy-duty HUSK-e®, engineered for high-utilization, stop-and-go operations in ports, rail yards, and logistics hubs. These trucks are designed from the ground up for durability, frequent cycling, and demanding industrial workloads.
Beyond vehicles, Orange EV delivers complete turnkey solutions, combining trucks, charging infrastructure, and service support. The company’s Orange Juicer™ fast charging system, along with on-site engineering and power planning, enables seamless integration into existing facilities without requiring fleet operators to become EV specialists.
Operational and Environmental Benefits
Transitioning from diesel to electric yard trucks delivers significant advantages:
- Zero tailpipe emissions, improving air quality and worker health
- Lower fuel and maintenance costs due to simpler electric drivetrains
- High torque and smooth operation, ideal for frequent starts and stops
- Reduced noise levels, improving workplace conditions and compliance
According to company data, Orange EV trucks achieve an average 97% uptime, a critical metric for industrial operations.
Proven Performance at Scale
By 2025, Orange EV had delivered over 1,600 electric yard trucks to more than 300 fleets across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Collectively, these vehicles have logged:
- 10+ million operating hours
- Nearly 27 million miles driven
- Approximately 200,000 tons of CO₂ emissions eliminated
- Estimated $100 million saved in fuel and maintenance costs
“Our trucks operate behind the scenes, but they are proven to outperform diesel in every way,” said Zack Ruderman, VP of Sales & Marketing at Orange EV.
100 Percent American Owned and Manufactured
A key differentiator for Orange EV is its 100% American ownership and manufacturing. All trucks are designed, engineered, and built in Kansas City, supporting domestic supply chains and skilled U.S. jobs. This positioning aligns with Build America / Buy America requirements, making Orange EV an attractive option for publicly funded and federally supported projects.
The company estimates that a two-shift yard operation could save up to $500,000 per truck over ten years, despite higher upfront capital costs.
Positioned for the Future of Freight Electrification
While challenges such as infrastructure planning and initial investment remain, Orange EV mitigates adoption risks through integrated warranties, mobile service teams, and site-specific engineering support. The company is well positioned to scale further within ports, intermodal hubs, and large logistics complexes, with future opportunities in energy storage, grid integration, and expanded heavy-duty EV applications.
By electrifying the workhorses of freight logistics and manufacturing them domestically, Orange EV is playing a foundational role in building a cleaner, more resilient industrial transportation system.
