Tevva Motors Limited (Tevva), a British manufacturer of electric trucks, has filed a lawsuit against ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp. (EMV) in the United States District Court in Arizona. The suit alleges that ElectraMeccanica wrongfully terminated a binding merger agreement between the two companies, causing Tevva significant damages.

The merger agreement, announced in October 2023, would have seen Tevva acquire ElectraMeccanica, creating a leading manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles. However, ElectraMeccanica terminated the agreement in November 2023, citing alleged breaches of contract by Tevva.

Tevva strongly disputes ElectraMeccanica’s allegations and contends that the termination of the merger was unjustified and has caused the company substantial financial harm. In its lawsuit, Tevva is seeking damages of $75 million, an injunction blocking ElectraMeccanica from entering into an alternative merger agreement, and a protective order preventing ElectraMeccanica from dissipating its cash through dividends, executive compensation, or other similar actions.

“We are deeply disappointed with ElectraMeccanica’s decision to terminate our merger agreement,” said Tevva CEO Richard Parry. “We believe the termination was unjustified and has caused significant damage to our company. We are confident that our lawsuit will be successful and that we will be able to recover our damages.”

ElectraMeccanica has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit between Tevva and ElectraMeccanica is a significant development in the electric truck industry. The lawsuit’s outcome could have a major impact on both companies and the broader industry landscape.

If Tevva successfully wins its lawsuit, it could recover significant damages from ElectraMeccanica and potentially force the company to reconsider its decision to terminate the merger agreement. However, if ElectraMeccanica prevails in court, it could be free to pursue alternative merger partners or go alone in the electric truck market.

The lawsuit is also likely to have a chilling effect on other potential mergers and acquisitions in the electric truck industry. Companies may now be more cautious about entering into binding merger agreements, fearing they could be liable for damages if the deal falls through.

The lawsuit between Tevva and ElectraMeccanica is a complex and high-stakes legal battle. The outcome of the lawsuit could have a significant impact on the future of both companies and the broader electric truck industry.