Today, AZ-based Atlis Motor Vehicles (AMV) revealed the functional prototype XT pickup, which it says is the first electric work truck in development with a 300-, 400- or 500-mi (480-, 645-, or 805-km) battery that will recharge in less than 15 min. Built on the company’s XP platform, it is designed to offer a strong base for customization—from service body to flatbed up-fits—to meet the needs of fleet owners, small businesses, and tradespeople.

“We are out to change the work truck market,” said Mark Hanchett, Atlis Founder and CEO. “The goal is to create an electric pickup with the performance characteristics of a ¾-ton diesel that can quickly be recharged. We’ve focused on the design features our target market cares most about—maximizing functionality, storage, capability, and passenger comfort to create the best possible ownership experience.”

Today’s design reveal is the latest event since we first gave a sneak peek of the XT in November 2020. It gives a clearer look at how the production vehicle will look and some of its intended functionality.

“This is the fourth iteration of the XT prototype, and we plan to start production in late 2022,” Hanchett said. “The team continues to refine the interior and exterior design based on extensive customer and investor feedback. We have the engineering and design expertise, flexibility, and vision to create something completely different to provide customers with an entire ecosystem needed to get their jobs done.”

While most known for the XT pickup, the company is focused on three business units: Energy, XP platform, and the XT.

The Energy pillar includes battery production and the ecosystem necessary to recharge, while the XP platform is the base for the XT truck, and enables Atlis to produce other vehicle configurations, such as emergency vehicles, delivery vans, or box trucks.

The XP skateboard architecture features a drive module that is scalable up to a 10,000-lb capacity per axle without requiring hardware upgrades. Each module contains brake, drive, suspension, and steering systems all using drive-by-wire technology.

The XT truck has been developed to meet the size, refueling, towing, and payload capabilities of conventional diesel-powered pickup trucks used in the agriculture, construction, service, and utility industries.

While still focused on $45,000 for the base model starting price, it is looking at subscriptions with one monthly fee. By the end of 2022, it expects to hand-build 150 trucks in AZ and be available in 50 platform variations.

 

Exterior design updates

The XT’s lack of internal combustion upfront means that the hood can be sloped downward more severely to improve aerodynamics and visibility. However, the space underneath provides significant storage for work truck stuff.

The front trunk offers 18.5 ft3 (524 L), the largest volume of any EV on the market today or projected to launch in the next two years, according to the company. The space is protected by a spray-on bed liner and is equipped with two 110-V/30-A outlets, a 240-V/50-A outlet, access to compressed air, and USB-C charging ports.

All lighting has been developed in-house.

An active headlight management system, with each headlight comprised of four DRLs that double as turn signals, can flash in a variety of colors for different applications. A projector bulb provides more illumination when needed.

The taillights are adjustable, depending on the use case, with lighting in red or amber for typical taillights and turn signals, or they can flash colors in emergency situations. Each assembly gets a projector-bulb-like use for the headlights for working or connecting a trailer.

Front and rear light bars integrated into the front and rear windshields have individually addressable LED bulbs. Lighting functionality includes color changes and the ability to create text and patterns for enhanced safety and communication.

The digital mirror system features deployable stalks with one camera per side for rear views linking to two screens on the dashboard. The mirror cameras are part of a suite of 11 high-resolution cameras that includes a bed camera to monitor cargo.

The “mirror” stalks extend when the vehicle is turned on and retract flush with the body when off for more clearance around the vehicle. The stalks serve as the turn signals, can be fully extended in tow mode, and feature heating elements to melt snow and ice and ensure proper function in the cold.

A step integrated into the XT platform’s structure extends along both sides of the vehicle for easy access to the bed and accessories. The pickup’s bed is available in 6.5- and 8-ft lengths with a standard spray-in bed liner.

Bed power outlets include four 120-V/30-A outlets, two USB A ports, and two USB C ports. One 240-V/50-A hookup can power tools, such as a welder, that require a higher voltage. Another hookup powers pneumatic tools.

 

‘Redefined’ driver user interface

The interior design is based on three priorities—comfort, functionality, and form—to provide the best overall ownership experience.

Three- and six-passenger configurations use four identical heated and cooled front and rear seats with central convertible seat/armrest to ensure comfort for all passengers and drive economies of scale and reduce cost.

Front and rear center consoles include a lower locking storage area, three large cupholders, two wireless phone chargers, and rear bucket storage—all designed to be accessible while wearing work gloves.

Side-mirror displays are placed beside the steering wheel. A 10.1-in instrument cluster display is attached to the steering column to move with it. The 12.8-in center touch display is engineered so that vehicle controls for main functions are easy to reach for the driver and passengers.

The production version will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a new concept of cluster and steering wheel control that is promised to redefine driver user interface with new levels of convenience. The interface will have customizable soft keys in the center display and on the steering wheel. The center touch display is designed so users can get to any function within three touches.

Control of all lights, including four halo lights with brightness and color customization, is through the user interface.

The durable interior must be easily cleaned and maintained to meet the most demanding customers’ needs. All materials from seats to the dash are aesthetically pleasing but stain, scratch, and rip-resistant.

 

Four-motor driving and air riding

Active air suspension allows the vehicle to maneuver over rugged off-road terrain yet allows for a comfortable on-road ride. Dynamic damping capabilities adjust to the vehicle load and the ride height can be adjusted to assist with loading and unloading.

The drivetrain uses four PMSM traction motors for all-wheel drive.

The chassis features independent front and rear suspension with four-wheel independent steer-by-wire and four-wheel independent regenerative brake-by-wire. Dual- or single-rear-wheel configurations are available.

The battery pack is being engineered for a 1 million mi (1.6 million km) life and up to 250-kWh capacity. It uses a cube cell shape with NMC (Nickel Magnesium Cobalt) chemistry (with low-cobalt) for a targeted energy density of more than 550 W·h/L.

Ports for charging the truck’s propulsion battery are on the front left side. An SAE J1772 CCS 1.0 and 2.0 port allows the use of the existing charging infrastructure to recharge on a standard 120- or 240-V outlet. Another Atlis-special 1.5-MW ACC charge port enables an ultra-fast charge in less than 15 min.

Targeted outputs are more than 600 hp (447 kW) and 12,000 lbft (16,270 N·m), for a 120-mph (193-km) top speed and 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration in 5.0 s. Towing capacity is up to 35,000 lb (15,900 kg) with a gooseneck or 5th wheel. Payload is up to 20,000 lb (9070 kg).

Some vehicle specs include 37-in wheels/tires, 12-in (305-mm) ground clearance, 10-in (254-mm) wheel travel, 144-176 in (3660-4470 mm) wheelbase, and 70.75-in (1797-mm) track width front and rear.

 

Crowd and other funding

Atlis reported on September 23 that it was closing in on a $5 million crowdfunding target. The latest raise, conducted by the Rialto Markets crowdfunding platform and transfer agent KoreConX, ends on September 30th.

“The fast pace of our latest raise highlights the faith our investors have in our products, the 30 patents we hold, and the development path we have mapped out,” and Annie Pratt, President, Atlis. “It also reinforces the confidence we placed in Rialto Markets and KoreConX to handle the new Reg CF round, which will enable ATLIS to scale battery development and move towards vehicle production.”

“It must be a record and a real vote of confidence from investors to see a company and its products secure 40% of a raise in the first 24 hours, and power on to nearly $3 million shortly afterward, making it the second-fastest crowdfunding raise on the market at that time,” added Shari Noonan, CEO, Rialto Markets. “We are proud to represent ATLIS and play a part in that.”

The company had already attracted over $16 million in previous crowdfunding, which is being directed toward developing its own electric vehicle battery cells, packs to power the XP vehicle platform, and the XT pickup truck debut in 2022. It also plans the commercial launch of its next-generation AMV battery cell in Q4 2021.

The company is now valued at $385 million.

 

Market expansion to Australia

Early in September, Atlis announced an agreement with Australian Manufactured Vehicles Pty. Ltd. (AusMV), which will buy XT pickups and complete right-hand drive production in Australia for sale in the Oceania and Southeast Asia market under the Atlis brand. AusMV will purchase over 19,000 XT pickups through 2025 and will provide expertise in compliance/certification and support in service/charging infrastructure for the Australian market.

“According to the Climate Council, Australia’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035 equates to the need for 75 percent of new vehicle sales to be electric,” said Hanchett. “Many traditional automakers have overlooked Australia when launching new EVs for a variety of reasons, but we see things differently. Our long-range, fast-charging electric work trucks are ideal for this market.”

The partners feel that Atlis’ expertise in battery and EV design, development, and manufacturing combined with AusMV’s competency in vehicle assembly and its truck market penetration in the market creates an ideal partnership.

“Atlis has an innovative product and a solid business plan that covers not only the vehicle production but also, battery manufacturing and charging technology that is suited to Australia’s conditions. Our confidence in the ATLIS team is so great, that we have invested in the company,” said Eddie Kocwa, Managing Director, AusMV and AusEV.