Voltu Motor Inc. began production of its all-electric heavy-duty pickup trucks at a new Riverside, California factory on Tuesday, with the city's public utilities department placing a $2.7 million order for the first U.S . delivery. The Class 3 zero-emission trucks, priced around $135,000, offer a 350-mile range and 17,000-pound towing capacity, targeting commercial fleets. According to the company, the launch marks a milestone for the 11-year-old startup that originated in Buenos Aires.

Riverside's $2.7 million vote of confidence

Riverside Public Utilities committed to an initial purchase worth $2.7 million, with plans to acquire up to 80 vehicles over three to five years. General manager David Garcia cited expected savings in fuel and maintenance costs, along with a maintenance agreement with Voltu, as key factors. as the company reported, the order positions the city as the first U.S. customer for Voltu's commercial trucks, which are designed for municipal, utility, and private fleet use.

A 350-mile range, 17,000-pound towing, and a $135,000 price tag

The all-electric pickup can tow 17,000 pounds, carry a 4,400-pound payload, and travel 350 miles on a single charge. Voltu assembles the elecric drivetrain—including power units, transmissions, and battery packs—at its 40,000-square-foot Riverside facility, which also serves as its U.S. global headquarters. The company says the vehicle fills a niche for heavy-duty commercial EVs in sectors ranging from oil and gas to logistics.

From 20 workers to 220 by 2027: the scaling hurdle

Voltu currently employs about 20 workers at the Riverside plant, but CEO George Gebhart—a bioengineer and former AI and robotics researcher—projects headcount will reach 50 by the end of 2026 and 220 by late 2027. The company has a pipeline of $70 million in orders for over 700 trucks from undisclosed buyers at airports, ports , cities, and counties across California. It has already sold 20 vehicles internationally, including to Coca-Cola FEMSA and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

California's rebate cushion against federal headwinds

The launch comes at a time when the Trump administration has been rolling back EV incentives. California has stepped in with its own rebate program, offering between $7,500 and $120,000 for new electric medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Voltu CEO George Gebhart told attendees that the state support helps offset purchase costs for fleets like Riverside's, giving the startup a fighting chance in a challenging market.

Who are the unnamed buyers in the $70 million pipeline?

While Voltu has disclosed international clients, the identities of the U.S. buyers behind the 700-plus truck pipeline remain unknown. the company says the orders come from airports, ports, and municipalities—but has not provided names or confirmed binding contracts. Without that transparency, it is difficult to gauge how firm the pipeline is. The report also leaves open questions about whether Voltu can secure additional financing beyond its family-and-friends round and support from VX Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Argentine energy firm Vista Energy.