Horizon Motor wins California EV voucher approval for Class 3 to 8 trucks

By AI, Created 5:10 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – California fleet buyers can now tap state vouchers of up to $120,000 on a Horizon Motor electric Class 8 truck, after the manufacturer’s full battery-electric lineup was approved for the state’s HVIP program. The move could cut upfront costs sharply for fleets and small businesses, with combined incentives on some purchases topping $200,000.

Why it matters: - California’s voucher approval lowers the upfront price of Horizon Motor electric trucks for fleet operators and businesses. - The approval may make Class 3 through Class 8 zero-emission truck purchases easier to justify financially. - Combined state and federal incentives can push total savings on a single Class 8 purchase above $200,000 for standard buyers.

What happened: - Horizon Motor announced that the California Air Resources Board approved its full battery-electric commercial vehicle lineup for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, known as HVIP. - The approval covers 2026 model year vehicles from Class 3 through Class 8. - California customers can access vouchers at the time of purchase, with no waiting period. - The company’s Class 3 through Class 8 trucks are now eligible for the state’s point-of-sale incentive program.

The details: - A Class 8 Horizon Motor truck can qualify for up to $120,000 in state vouchers. - Small businesses can access up to $330,000 in combined CARB incentives on a Class 8 purchase, including the base HVIP voucher and supplemental small business funding. - For Class 3 through Class 7 vehicles, base vouchers range from $15,000 to $85,000. - Small business vouchers for Class 3 through Class 7 range from $40,000 to $160,000. - Horizon Motor vehicles are designed and assembled in Athens, Ohio. - The lineup includes delivery, cold chain and refrigeration, refuse, towing, construction, cab and chassis, and municipal applications. - Horizon Motor says its vehicles can deliver up to 60% lower fuel costs and 30% to 50% lower maintenance costs than diesel equivalents. - The company says it offers some of the largest battery packs in the commercial truck segment.

Between the lines: - The approval gives Horizon Motor one of the broadest HVIP approvals in the program’s history for a single manufacturer. - The timing suggests California fleets may face a lower barrier to switching from diesel to electric in segments where truck replacement costs are often the main hurdle. - Point-of-sale vouchers are especially important for smaller buyers because they reduce cash needed at the time of purchase.

What’s next: - California buyers can now apply HVIP vouchers toward qualifying Horizon Motor trucks. - Horizon Motor representatives can provide more information to customers evaluating state and federal incentive combinations. - Fleet operators will likely weigh the voucher savings against operating cost benefits when planning next purchases.

The bottom line: - Horizon Motor’s HVIP approval turns California incentives into an immediate discount for buyers of its electric work trucks, making zero-emission fleet upgrades cheaper to start.