Envirotech completes first vehicle in Arkansas

Vehicles are finally rolling off assembly lines in Arkansas.

Envirotech Vehicles, the only automobile manufacturer operating in the state, held an event Thursday (April 7) at its facility in Osceola to commemorate its first transportation vehicle being completed.

The Corona, Calif., based company acquired a 580,000-square-foot building from the city in February. When it’s fully operational, the plant could employ up to 800 workers. The company plans to invest $80 million in Arkansas during the next five years.

“As the only auto manufacturer in the state, we are honored to be leaders in the future of Arkansas’s transportation industry. Today’s event is a great reminder that, as our company continues to progress through this new journey, we are thankful for all of the support we have received from community and business leaders across the state who believe in our expertise and mission. Our facility will not only do great things for our Company but also the local economy in Mississippi County and surrounding areas as we provide more jobs and more revenue generation for the state,” Envirotech Vehicles CEO Phillip Oldridge said.

During the event, the company announced the final assembly of 58 vehicles and 10 right-hand drive vehicles, marking the first final assembly taking place at its new headquarters in Arkansas. Vehicles commemorated at the event will be delivered to customers all across the country, from New Jersey to Utah.

“Envirotech Vehicles is an incredible addition to our city’s workforce,” Osceola Mayor Sally Wilson said. “Companies that are willing to go the extra mile to be leaders in their respective industries are exactly what Osceola needs as our city continues to grow and look for ways to bolster its employment offerings and liveability.”

Envirotech has been in business for more than 30 years. It builds vehicles, systems and green technology that serves last-mile fleets, school districts, public and private transportation service companies, and colleges and universities to meet the increasing demand for heavy-duty electric vehicles.

The company is currently manufacturing and delivering three electric power vehicles to customers – urban trucks, logistics vans and cutaway vans. The Osceola plant is designed to be a final outfitting facility for vehicles built elsewhere and it will serve as the shipping point to customers.

How many vehicles the plant will produce each year was not released. The electric vehicle market is expected to top $170 billion this year and is predicted to balloon to $700 billion by the year 2026.

“We’re glad to officially be welcoming Envirotech Vehicles to Mississippi County. As we continue to diversify and fuel our workforce, we are thrilled that Envirotech Vehicles chose our county for their new U.S. based manufacturing facility,” Great River Economic Development Foundation President Clif Chitwood said.