The World’s First Battery Electric Low-Floor Shuttle Bus
With 91%* of our components made in-house in Indiana, or sourced from partnerships with American manufacturers, you can be proud knowing your fleet supports American companies and enables Buy America incentives.
*Estimated from current suppliers. Percentage may change.
Optimal’s proprietary No-Kneel® chassis is designed to allow for an ultra-low 11-inch (280mm) step-in height and quick deployment of an ADA-compliant accessibility ramp without the need for kneeling suspension, enabling easy access for all passengers.
With 113kW of energy storage, and proven by over 20 million miles of service, Optimal’s partnership with Proterra provides our products with the best performance & reliability, all from right here in the USA.
With 280 kW of propulsion on tap and 1700Nm of instant EV torque, S1 can reach a top speed of 70mph (112kph) and features OEM E-450 equivalent 30% gradeability*.
*at GVWR of 14,500 lb (6577 kg)
Another first in the industry: our products feature 100% of the power electronics, including the battery, motor, driveline, motor controllers, and power/cooling lines, in-between the chassis rails. This packaging design allows for the low-floor chassis layout, while also protecting the vehicle’s critical components.
With thousands of hours of CAE testing and optimization, the S1LF goes above and beyond at ensuring our vehicles exceed industry safety standards. Our purpose-built chassis is built to handle anything thrown at it, protecting power electronics with a reinforced structure and front & rear motor/motor controller cradles. Blind spot monitoring* helps keep drivers and their passengers out of harm’s way.
*Optional extra
Our years of experience in automotive engineering have also taught us how to design for an optimized user experience. Enabled by quieter electric propulsion, optimized ride dynamics and body design, and quality materials, our products enjoy lower NVH levels (noise, vibration, harshness) that benefit both passengers and workers.
Read about S1 in the news
Optimal is bolting into the commercial EV sector with industry-leading performance, features, comfort, and durability.
For any general inquiries regarding Optimal EV and our products, connect with us below.