Australian electrification solutions provider Janus Electric has secured multiple new orders for its diesel-to-electric truck conversion kits and swappable battery systems, expanding its presence in North America. The company’s first U.S. fleet customer, Ability Tri-Modal, has increased its commitment to 20 vehicle conversions, with 16 additional kits and 18 battery sets ordered for delivery in the second quarter of 2027.
The orders follow the successful securing of California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) funding and Port of Los Angeles Plus support for Ability Tri-Modal’s initial conversions. Janus Electric and its California-based partner, Electric Vehicle Choice, obtained HVIP vouchers worth US$112,000 per truck and an additional US$54,000 per truck from the Port of Los Angeles program. These incentives, available for both new electric vehicles and diesel-to-electric retrofits, have positioned conversions as a cost-competitive alternative for fleet operators.
California Incentives Accelerate Fleet Electrification
Janus Electric CEO Ben Hutt stated that California’s technology-neutral incentive framework has been instrumental in driving demand for conversion solutions. "The United States is developing into a substantial order book for Janus," Hutt said. "With Canada entering its first commercial phase and a pipeline building in Australia, we are focused on scaling production to meet growing demand."
The company’s expansion aligns with regulatory pressures in the U.S. port drayage sector, where operators face emissions reduction mandates. The Harbor Trucking Association, representing members that collectively operate over 33,500 trucks serving U.S. ports, has engaged with Janus as part of broader industry efforts to transition to zero-emission fleets. While Janus has not disclosed the total number of pending orders, it confirmed ongoing discussions with additional fleet operators in North America and Australia.
Battery-Swap Technology and Operational Efficiency
Janus Electric’s conversion kits include swappable battery systems designed to minimize downtime for fleet operators. The company’s proprietary Janus Charge & Change Station infrastructure allows for rapid battery replacement, addressing a key operational challenge for electric truck adoption. The A$10 million order from Ability Tri-Modal underscores the financial viability of retrofitting legacy diesel trucks, though Janus has not released specific cost comparisons or return-on-investment data for its conversions versus new electric vehicle purchases.
To meet increasing demand, Janus is expanding production capacity and collaborating with suppliers, including battery partner Electrovaya. The company has not provided details on the timeline or scale of its manufacturing expansion, nor has it disclosed specifics about Electrovaya’s role in the supply chain or battery specifications. Pending orders in Canada and Australia suggest Janus is diversifying its market reach, though the company has not identified customers or order volumes in those regions.
Incentives and Long-Term Viability
California’s HVIP program and Port of Los Angeles incentives have been critical in accelerating the adoption of Janus’s conversion technology. However, the long-term performance and reliability of converted trucks remain unproven in large-scale deployments. While Janus asserts that retrofitting legacy trucks can be more cost-effective than purchasing new electric vehicles, the lack of publicly available data on total cost of ownership, battery longevity, and real-world efficiency leaves questions about the scalability of the model.
For fleet operators hesitant to invest in new electric trucks, Janus’s approach offers a potential bridge by leveraging existing vehicle chassis and retrofitting them with electric drivetrains and swappable batteries. The company’s ability to fulfill growing demand will depend on scaling production and demonstrating the durability of its conversion technology in commercial operations.
