Navistar to launch electric trucks in Portland

Navistar announced Friday the company will use Portland as a launch market for its new line of electric delivery trucks.

Navistar will host to introduce the trucks to the business community and start taking orders.

“We’ve been in the pilot phase for the last year or so,” said Bill Walmsley, marketing manager for Navistar electric vehicles.

The company will release details next week about the model name and production stats for the truck, which will be manufactured in Indiana, and a listing of the test markets where the truck will be available in addition to Portland.

“It makes sense that the city that’s No. 1 in sustainability year after year would be our top launch market,” Walmsley said.

Navistar has been testing its electric vehicles, — which boast a 100-mile range, tight turning circle, and an up to 4,400-pound payload — with Federal Express.

Navistar bought the manufacturing assets of Monaco Coach of Coburg last year for $52 million.