Pickup Please and Evolectric Launch the First Electric Donation Trucks in the U.S., Without Government Incentives

Each retrofit saved $78,000 compared to buying new EVs, and a signed Letter of Intent will expand this model nationwide across Pickup Please's fleet.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickup Please, the donation pickup service operated by Red White & Blue Thrift Store, has officially launched the nation's first electric donation trucks in partnership with Evolectric. The vehicles were converted using Evolectric's CircularEV™ solution and have been operating across the Greater Los Angeles area since May. This milestone positions Pickup Please as the first U.S. thrift fleet to electrify its vehicles.

Just as Pickup Please gives new life to donated household goods and clothing, this EV initiative gives new life to trusted trucks. The approach reinforces a truly circular model that reduces waste while serving local communities.

The converted trucks, which have served the Los Angeles community for years, now begin their next chapter from mile zero. They are fully electric, zero emission, and equipped with smart-enabled technology. The trucks are used for residential donation pickups and local deliveries to Red White & Blue Thrift Store locations, a stop-and-go duty cycle that highlights the practicality of EV retrofits for urban fleets.

Unlike many EV deployments that depend on subsidies, these trucks were deployed without government incentives. Each conversion saved approximately $78,000 per vehicle, representing a 45% reduction in capital costs compared to purchasing new electric trucks. This demonstrates that fleets can electrify affordably and at scale without relying on subsidies. Evolectric and Pickup Please have also signed a Letter of Intent to expand this model nationwide across the organization's entire fleet.

Drivers report significantly quieter operation, enabling earlier morning starts in residential areas. Early results reinforce the business case by showing lower operating costs through reduced fuel expenses, lower maintenance needs, and more uptime from higher reliability. Together these benefits demonstrate how electrification can improve both operational efficiency and community impact.

"At Pickup Please, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From repurposing household goods to reducing our carbon footprint, we are committed to making a difference. Our EV conversion initiative is another step toward a cleaner future, ensuring that every pickup contributes to a healthier planet," said Boomer Butler, CEO of Pickup Please.

In partnership with EverCharge, an EV charging solutions provider, two AC chargers were installed at Pickup Please's Los Angeles facility using existing power availability to support overnight charging. This approach kept costs under $10,000 and limited the deployment timeline to just a few weeks, minimizing downtime and enabling a fast return to service.

"Seeing these donation trucks reborn as electric vehicles and serving Los Angeles neighborhoods shows what circular electrification is all about. It is faster, more affordable, and more sustainable than starting from scratch. Circular electrification lets fleets cut costs and emissions without sacrificing reliability or economics," said Jakson Alvarez, Co-Founder of Evolectric.

CircularEV™ is Evolectric's proprietary retrofit solution converting existing trucks into fully electric, smart vehicles by reusing, refreshing, and redeploying fleets.

"Together, we are not just upgrading vehicles. We are driving meaningful change for communities and the environment," added George Diaz, Director of Fleet Management at Pickup Please.

Evolectric's strategy centers on scaling through a certified network of service centers, upfitters, and dealers providing high-quality installations and service near fleet operations. This decentralized model enables rapid deployment, creates skilled jobs, and keeps investment in local communities.

About Pickup Please
Pickup Please, operated by Red White & Blue Thrift Store, makes donating easy and accessible, helping communities declutter while supporting charities.

About Evolectric
Evolectric is a California-based technology company helping fleets electrify smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Its CircularEV™ platform converts existing trucks into fully electric, smart vehicles while reducing carbon footprints by up to 50%.

Contact:
Nathalie Stein
310-596-7557
[email protected]

SOURCE Evolectric Inc.