The Future of Trucking Arrives in Pulaski

Pulaski County, VA – Cardinal News recently featured an article titled “In Pulaski, Driving Toward the Future,” highlighting a local electric vehicle manufacturer in the NRV. Trova Commercial Vehicles is making history with a process that enables the transformation of existing diesel trucks to electric.

In the article, Patrick Collignon, Trova Founder and CEO, explains the process in easy-to-understand detail saying,

“We take all the components that age well, the cab, the hood, the body, the front axle, the rear axle, all those components that will survive you and me, and we transplant them onto our chassis. So what we have done is we redesigned from scratch a new chassis, a chassis that we believe … is more tailored to the specific components that are critical to an electric drive line.”

According to the article, the process described above means that there is a signifigant savings both from a environmental and cost standpoint. “If you talk about reducing greenhouse gasses, it’s not only at the vehicle’s tailpipe, but now we start reducing that at the tailpipe of the factory,” Collignon said.

The conversion process is still being refined, but Collignon hopes to offer a one-week turnaround saying,

“That means you bring in your diesel truck on Monday, and the next Monday, you drive away with a brand new electric driveline. So that’s a different story than waiting 18 months for a vehicle to come. So lead time is drastically shorter. The cost is drastically less.”

Read the full article about Trova’s advances to electric fleet vehicles here.

Learn more about the advanced manufacturing industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”