Ontario-based Phoenix Motorcars Inc. is looking to deliver the first of its electric vehicles by July.

So far the manufacturer has been tapped for 700 vehicles from customers that include San Bernardino County, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the city of Santa Monica and Fresno County. San Bernardino County officials ordered a fleet of 10 cars.

Phoenix plans to ramp up its production capability to 6,000 units next year. Phoenix moved from space it shared with Boshart Engineering in Ontario to a 25,000-square-foot plant at Doubleday Avenue in the city last fall because it needed the space.

Founded in Ojai in July 2001 by Dan Riegert and Dana Muscato, the car manufacturer moved to Ontario in November 2006.

Phoenix produces battery-operated electric sport utility vehicles and trucks. Phoenix partnered with Reno, Nev.-based Altairnano for batteries to power the cars.

"Things are moving forward," said Bryon Bliss, Phoenix Motorcars vice president of sales and marketing. "We will start mass delivery of the trucks and SUVs by June or July."

The electric vehicles run on Altairnano Generation Two lithium-titanate batteries with zero emissions and can travel up to 130 miles on a single charge.

Phoenix sells a four-door sport utility vehicle for $54,000 and a four-door truck for $45,000. The vehicles come with air conditioning.