WARRENVILLE, Ill. – (August 2, 2010) – Navistar, Inc. today announced that WESTRUX International of Sante Fe Springs, Calif. is the latest addition to the sales, service and support network for Navistar’s eStar™ truck — the first full-production, purpose-built all-electric truck.

“We’re proud to provide service and support for eStar customers in Southern California,” said David Kenney, president and CEO, WESTRUX International. “The eStar is an exciting new product with amazing potential to revolutionize the industry and transform thinking when it comes to clean, efficient transportation.”

With more than 28 years of experience, WESTRUX International has a reputation for outstanding customer service and will provide all sales, service and parts needs for eStar customers in the Southern California region. “The greater Los Angeles region holds strong opportunities for commercial electric trucks due to its market size and dedication to clean vehicle technologies which reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The eStar all-electric truck is the first medium-duty commercial vehicle to receive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification as a clean fuel fleet vehicle as well as California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification as a zero-emissions vehicle. This Class 2c-3 electric truck—the first in its category—has a range of up to 100 miles per charge, making it ideal for many urban applications. When it returns to its home base at the end of the day, it can be plugged in and fully recharged within six to eight hours.

“With the addition of WESTRUX International, Navistar is fully capable to support our customers through select dealers networked in our initial launch regions,” said Mark Aubry, eStar’s vice president, sales and marketing. “No other commercial electric vehicle competes with the eStar in terms of capacity, size and application. We believe customers will love the eStar because of its capabilities as an electric vehicle and won’t have to change their fleet usage in order to take advantage of the truck’s performance. We also see excellent opportunities for WESTRUX to be leading the charge in the Los Angeles market serving commercial truck customers with the eStar all-electric truck.”

“The all-electric eStar commercial truck is a groundbreaking product and Navistar is once again leading the way in bringing innovative, game-changing products to market,” Aubry added. “Along with the advancements we’ve made in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency for heavy trucks, our comprehensive line-up of hybrid trucks and school buses, and now with the addition of the eStar all-electric truck, Navistar has the largest portfolio of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly trucks in the industry.”

The eStar all-electric truck transitioned from concept to reality in August 2009, when President Barack Obama visited Navistar’s manufacturing plant in Indiana to announce a $39.2 million grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and administered by the Department of Energy to develop and deploy electric trucks. Less than one year later, Navistar has completed testing and validation, developed and delivered prototype vehicles, and received EPA and CARB certifications. The eStar meets all Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Navistar is now taking orders and building these all-electric trucks.

Unlike other electric trucks that are reconfigured models of fossil-fuel trucks, the eStar truck has been purpose-built for electric power, creating an advantage with a low center of gravity (the battery is between the frame rails, not mounted on top) and a 36-foot turning circle. The eStar is engineered with superior aerodynamics, a walk-through cab and a quick-change cassette-type battery that can be swapped out in 20 minutes, enabling around-the-clock operation. It is capable of carrying payloads up to two tons.

With zero tailpipe emissions, each eStar truck can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually. Drivers will be able to experience the ultimate in ergonomic design as the windshield provides nearly 180-degree visibility, the low-floor design provides easy loading/unloading and the noise level is near zero, which makes this nimble vehicle ideal for urban areas facing noise challenges.

Southern California customers will be able to go to WESTRUX International for sales, service, parts and vehicle support needs for eStar all-electric trucks. The eStar truck is produced through the Navistar-Modec EV Alliance, LLC, the joint venture between Navistar, Inc. and Modec Limited of the United Kingdom.