Ayro unveils configurable electric utility vehicle for fleet operations

Electric utility vehicle startup Ayro announced details on its first fleet delivery vehicle, which it called a cornerstone of the Round Rock, Texas, company’s new strategic product roadmap.

The Ayro Vanish is a low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV) with a lightweight architecture to limit vehicle weight and maximize payload capacity, according to the Oct. 18 announcement. The zero-emission vehicle offers flexible bed configurations to support various fleet needs while limiting the vehicle’s impact on the environment.

“We designed the Ayro Vanish from the ground up,” said CEO Tom Wittenschlaeger. “From concept to production to implementation, we wanted to make sure every detail was considered. Also, the vehicle is primarily sourced from North America and Europe, with vehicle final assembly and integration in our Round Rock, Texas, facility—thus eliminating concerns regarding rising costs of trans-Pacific shipping, shipping times, import duties, and quality.”

In addition to designing a “next-generation base vehicle,” Ayro said it is developing a customized family of swappable payloads and embedded software operator aids to make the Vanish platform more than just a truck.

Ayro has filed and has pending two new design patents, multiple underlying seminal patents in sustainability, four U.S. Utility Patents, and two additional U.S. Utility Patent applications in process.

Ayro Vanish fleet applications 

The Ayro Vanish improves upon the established foundation of other LSVs and LSEVs by leveraging new technologies that contribute to operators meeting sustainability goals, according to the announcement. 

The startup said ideal applications for the Ayro Vanish are industries where conventional pickup trucks are too large—but a golf or utility cart may be too small for the need. These industries include education, corporate and medical campuses, hotels and resorts, golf courses, stadiums, marinas, governments, municipalities, and urban delivery. These industries also are in line with Ayro’s own corporate goal of creating vehicles that leave virtually no mark on their environment.

“Our goal at Ayro is to redefine the nature of sustainability,” Wittenschlaeger said. “We at Ayro, working in concert with our customers, are working toward a future where our solutions move beyond just limiting carbon emissions. As we developed the Ayro Vanish and our future product roadmap, we’re considering tire tread, fuel cells, toxic fluids, discordant sound, and even harsh visuals in our designs. It’s everything—sustainability isn’t just a destination, it’s a constantly evolving journey.”

According to the most recent North America Low-Speed Vehicle Report, the low-speed vehicle (LSV) market is projected to grow by $5.5 billion from 2021 to 2027. The report outlines the shifting preferences toward LSVs for short distances and on-location fleet management due to stringent emission standards and the lower cost of electric LSVs. 

Ayro Vanish specs and configurations

The Ayro Vanish LSEV will initially be offered with the following configurations:

• Flat Bed, the core platform designed to support a multitude of applications
• Utility Bed (heavy and light-duty) with fold-down pickup bed sides and tailgate
• Van Box with securable storage
• Food Box (powered and non-powered) with the capability to serve hot and cold food and beverages on campuses, resorts, and event venues.

 The Ayro Vanish vehicle specifications include:

• Speed: LSV programmed up to 25 MPH
• Payload: Maximum payload of 1,200 lbs (LSV) and 1,800 lbs (non-LSV), dependent on final vehicle configuration
• Range: Estimated 50 miles or greater range based on a full charge (actual range will vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, vehicle loading, use, and configuration)                     
• Battery Type: Lithium Ion
• Charging: No specialized charging infrastructure is required; uses standard 110V/20 amp outlet and is also configured for J1772 charging
• Dimensions: 155” L x 58” W x 76” H (fits through double doors with mirrors removed)

The core platform of the Ayro Vanish is expected to start around $25,000 respectively (excluding tax, title, license, dealer fees, optional equipment, and custom configurations). Discount pricing also will be available for large-volume orders.

Consumers and other fleet managers can expect these vehicles to be available soon, according to the company.

“Our first test vehicles will roll out later this year,” said Scott Bruce, SVP of strategic business development and government affairs at Ayro. “We will also begin accepting pre-orders early next year, followed by a ramp-up to production in the first quarter of 2023.”