Envirotech Vehicles Expands into AI with Deployment of Immersion-Cooled Data Center Container

Envirotech Vehicles Deploys Immersion-Cooled AI Container in Strategic Pivot

January 27, 2026

In a significant move highlighting the convergence of energy, transportation, and high-performance computing, Nasdaq-listed electric vehicle manufacturer Envirotech Vehicles (EVTV) has successfully deployed a 500kW, immersion-cooled data center container in Texas. This deployment marks a pivotal step in the company's strategic expansion beyond its core EV business and into the high-demand artificial intelligence infrastructure sector.

The 40-foot modular container, purpose-built for immersion-cooled computing, was delivered, installed, and energized this week at an operating oil field site in Texas. The location leverages on-site natural gas production for behind-the-meter power, a model aimed at reducing operational costs and grid dependency. The deployment was executed in partnership with Azio AI, a spin-out from keyboard manufacturer Azio Corp, which supplies the specialized compute hardware while EVTV retains ownership of the physical assets.

Jason Maddox, President of Envirotech Vehicles, stated, "The successful deployment of the 40-foot immersion container is a significant achievement for EVTV. This milestone demonstrates our ability to execute complex infrastructure projects and positions this initiative as a scalable platform for AI compute." Chris Young, CEO of Azio AI, echoed the sentiment, noting, "Having an immersion-ready container delivered, installed, and energized moves this project decisively from planning into execution. With the infrastructure fully in place, we can now focus on CPU integration and performance validation, which is where real value creation begins."

The project is part of a broader corporate realignment. EVTV has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Azio AI through a merger valued at $480 million. If completed, Azio AI would become a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Azio's Chris Young is slated to become the CEO of the combined Envirotech Vehicles entity. Elgin Tracy, COO of EVTV, commented that the transaction would align the company "with a scaled AI infrastructure platform, an experienced technology leadership team, and a governance framework designed to support long‑term execution and shareholder value creation."

This foray into AI infrastructure represents a notable trend of non-traditional players entering the data center market, seeking to capitalize on the explosive growth in compute demand driven by generative AI and machine learning. By utilizing behind-the-meter power at an industrial site and advanced immersion cooling—a technology critical for managing the heat from dense AI server racks—the partnership aims to build a cost-effective and rapidly deployable compute platform. The move positions Envirotech Vehicles to potentially diversify its revenue streams significantly while contributing to the evolving landscape of distributed, energy-efficient computing infrastructure.

Source: datacenterdynamics