Envirotech selects its first vehicle dealer in Arkansas

Arkansas’ only car manufacturer has selected its first dealer in the state. Envirotech announced Thursday (July 21) it has partnered with Jonesboro-based DaVinci Innovations (DVI) as its first dealer in the Natural State.

DVI is Envirotech’s first commercial electric licensed vehicle dealer. When it will start selling vehicles was not released. Phillip Oldridge, CEO of Envirotech Vehicles, said he was glad to find a dealer in the region.

“Envirotech is proud to be pushing the transportation industry towards the future of greener technology as we announce DVI as our first Arkansas-based dealer. The days of going to dealerships to purchase vehicles continue to become less prevalent in the industry, and we are excited to see how DVI’s entirely online system will help enhance buyer experience and make purchasing our heavy-duty, fully-electric vehicles more convenient and accessible across the state,” he said.

DVI was created in 2022 by owner Guy Pardew. As the state’s first commercial electric vehicle dealer, consumers can view inventory and make purchases through DVI’s website and vehicles will be shipped directly from the company’s manufacturing facility in Osceola to the businesses.

“We are thrilled to be accommodating both the federal and state government’s demand for electric vehicles,” said Pardew. “As a fully online electric vehicle dealer, we are proud to be embracing a quick and efficient way for businesses to find and purchase vehicles that meet their needs without having to visit a dealership. This is a huge step forward in improving Arkansas’ impact on the environment and helping companies embrace a greener alternative to commercial transportation.”

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

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.