Automotive News Update: University of Virginia, Eco Auto, and John Taylor's Collaboration
Mullen Automotive Secures Major Commercial EV Orders from University of Virginia and Eco Auto
John Taylor, a veteran in the automotive industry with over 35 years of experience, has made a significant impact in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. After starting his career with General Motors and playing a key role in 11 major automotive vehicle launches, Taylor joined Tesla in 2010 as one of the first 50 employees. He was instrumental in the launch of Tesla's Fremont facility and the manufacturing operations for the Tesla Model S, as well as the architecture for future EV projects.
Taylor's contributions at Tesla led him to the advanced manufacturing engineering group, where his expertise was further utilised. In 2025, Taylor took on a new challenge, leaving Tesla to join Mullen Automotive, Inc., an electric vehicle manufacturer listed on the NASDAQ (MULN). Taylor has now been appointed as the president of Mullen's Commercial EV division, in addition to his existing role as senior vice president of global manufacturing.
In his new role, Taylor will focus on overseeing commercial vehicle operations. This focus is evident in Mullen Automotive's recent successes. The company has secured significant commercial EV orders from the University of Virginia (UVA) and Eco Auto, a Boston-area dealer specializing in electric vehicles. UVA has placed an order for the Mullen ONE, a Class 1 EV cargo van, and has already been using battery-powered vehicles in its Facilities Management, with electric vehicle usage surging by 275% from 2020 to 2023, accounting for approximately 9% of total annual miles driven.
The University of Virginia's commitment to sustainability is evident, as it aims for carbon neutrality by 2030. Currently, the university already uses 13% battery-powered vehicles in its Facilities Management and has 24 charging stations supporting its electric vehicle usage.
Eco Auto, in its expansion plans, is extending its operations to cover additional states, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Vermont. As part of this expansion, Eco Auto has placed an order for 180 Mullen vehicles valued at $7.7 million. This large order indicates a deepening relationship and dealer network growth for Mullen Automotive. However, specific details about expansion beyond this order were not available in the search results as of late August 2025.
The focus for Mullen Automotive, as of now, appears to be on scaling delivery of the current substantial order and supporting commercial deployment through partners like Eco Auto and university clients. Taylor's leadership is expected to play a crucial role in this endeavour, given his extensive experience in the automotive industry and his instrumental role in the launch of Mullen's key models, such as the Mullen ONE and THREE.
Taylor's journey from the Philpot School of Automotive Design in Detroit to his current role at Mullen Automotive is a testament to his dedication and expertise in the automotive industry. His appointment as the president of Mullen's Commercial EV division marks an exciting new chapter in his career and in the growth of Mullen Automotive's commercial EV offerings.
Read also:
- Kenya broadens economic zones featuring Olkaria's geothermal energy advantage
- Nutritional Healthcare: Linking Patients with Crucial Nourishment Through Medical Professionals
- Century Lithium Announces Production of Battery-Grade Lithium Metal Anodes from Angel Island Lithium Carbonate
- Truck manufacturers directed to cease enforcing immediate limp mode for low DEF emission regulations, according to EPA.
