General Motors released official information on its new BrightDrop brand during CES 2021 today, which will provide last-mile electric delivery solutions, software and other services to delivery and logistics companies.
BrightDrop is the brainchild of the GM Global Innovation arm, the same smart minds behind other innovative GM ventures such as OnStar Insurance, OnStar Guardian and GM Defense. BrightDrop will produce products and vehicles aimed at helping logistics companies like FedEx move goods more efficiently and in a more earth-friendly manner. GM says demand for urban last-mile delivery, mainly fueled by e-commerce shopping, is expected to grow by 78 percent between now and 2030.
The first product from BrightDrop will be the BrightDrop EP1, which is described as a “propulsion-assisted, electric pallet developed to easily move goods over short distances,” like from a delivery vehicle to the customer’s front door, for example. The EP1, set to launch early this year, is powered by built-in electric hub motors with adjustable speed up to 3 mph, depending on the operator’s walking pace. It can carry up to 23 cubic feet of cargo and has a maximum payload capacity of 200 pounds. The lockable cabinet doors allow for secure, remote access to the contents, while adjustable shelving makes it easy for the operator to organize packages.
BrightDrop’s second product is the EV600 electric light commercial van, which is purpose-built for the delivery of goods and services over long ranges. The van is powered by Ultium batteries and Ultium drive motors, has a maximum range of up to 250 miles and supports DC fast charging at rates of up to 120 kW. A maximum general vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of just under 10,000 pounds, a payload capacity of up to 2,200 pounds and 600 cubic feet of cargo area ensure the EV600 is well-equipped for demanding delivery duty.
The van will also come with a laundry list of active safety features, a standard 13.4-inch full color infotainment screen and a cargo area security system with motion sensors. GM says early customer interest in the EV600 has been “strong,” and expects the first examples to be delivered by the end of this year. FedEx has already placed orders for the van and BrightDrop expects to make the EV600 available to more customers to order starting in early 2022. For the record, GM Authority was the first to report that GM was working on a fully electric van back in February 2019.
Other BrightDrop projects in the works include cloud-based fleet management software for EV600 operators and a remote access management system that allows operators to perform remote diagnostics on vehicles, receive safety alerts and install over-the-air updates. BrightDrop says it will also “continue to grow its product offerings over time to include a portfolio of integrated, zero-emissions products,” and is currently looking at a medium-distance delivery solution that transports multiple EP1s, along with a rapid load delivery vehicle concept.
Look for the BrightDrop EP1 and BrightDrop EV600 as they join FedEx’s fleet later this year.
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Comments
BrightDrop? Is that like a Chinese brand or something?
I just found the video explaining it on one of the car sites, and it’s pretty terrible. Seems to have been done by whoever came up with the stupid new logo.
Interesting idea though.
Ok, but at least check out the terrible website too, since you’re all downvoting me anyway.
Mary must be so proud…..
Nate, I don’t know what you looked at but GM has quite a bit of information on their investor website. There you can read that EP1 prototypes have already been reviewed by FedEx and production is in early 2021. EV600 will be in production later this year. FedEx will be their first customer apparently for both products. Plus, on this GM New Release, standard and available features for the EV600 are listed. For example, HD Rear Vision Camera is standard, HD Surround Vision is an option. Overall, I think GM will now be a player in this segment of the commercial market.
They have an amateurish looking site at gobrightdrop (dot) com. It was linked in the cheesy video that all the other car sites had in their articles.
Interestingly, they seem to have chosen a name that someone already owned the domain for.
Nate, I don’t know what site you went to but the GoBrightDrop website is excellent. EP1 and EV600 are not individual products, but also could also be used as a part of an integrated system. I would say their website is excellent.
Hell yeah!!! That’s what i’m talking about! GM is back baby!! I have to admit i was a doubter for the idea of a female CEO in the automotive industry! But now i’m a believer, we trust in Mary, I love you Mary, i love you so much!
Sexism never wins, Slider.
There’s this thing called as USPS nex-gen delivery vehicle contract for close to 200K vehicles. They keep postponing this for years now , because current offers don’t satisfy the company after seeing lightning fast development of electric vehicle technology. So in all possibility they will go out for a renewed tender as only for EVs. It’s a perfect timing for GM ,they should participate the tender with this baby! Of course other players like Rivian and Canoo also definitely gonna jump on this.
Here in the DC area there are plenty of delivery vans that are not DHL|FedEx|USPS|UPS. Plenty of opportunity…
What normal person gets that excited about GM releasing a delivery van? This kind of stuff is why a lot of consumers don’t trust GM.
I’m interested in GM vans because I have one and use it for overlanding…So any delivery van that might provide a template for their next van is of interest to me.
This actually looks like a cool vehicle. It would be nice if a gasoline version is made available.
Why? For the type of duty these vehicle get electric is perfect. Once they get into their delivery area it’s low speed, and a lot of start/stopping. Brakes could last the life of the vehicle.
Agree with your point for its intended commercial use, but some of us buy vans for personal use where electric would not make sense. Maybe they will come out with an Express replacement at some point.
This is the perfect arena for electric vehicles. Good job gm
now this makes sense and we don’t have to wait until 2025.
I’m wondering what the distribution channel for these will be. At first I wondered why they didn’t just sell it under the Chevy/GMC badge, but I’m curious if this new brand allows them to bypass the dealers and sell direct? And if true would dealers still be able to service them?
Looks like a great product, expanding their market significantly by going end to end with these trucks instead of just selling and engine or a stripped chassis to a van company.
It will be a separate franchise offered to existing GM dealers that commit to the requirements and who will most likely already be GM commercial vehicle dealers. They will need to make a significant investment in tools, lifts, training, stocking, demonstrators, and marketing.
I assume this will also be the template for the electric Express/Savana replacement (????). If so, will Chevy also offer gas/diesel/hybrid vans?
This was unexpected from GM but man do I think GM has something here. I think this will become a cash cow Business for them. Great job Mary. Talk about thinking outside the box.
Agreed. No one else is doing anything like this.
I’m pretty sure the only the only real innovation here as opposed to competitors is the electric cart. Has anybody expressed interest in that?
Mary must be so proud.
Brightdrop should be a sub brand of Chevrolet and be part of Chevy’s massive commercial vehicles logistics.