General Motors is expanding its all-electric technology to the commercial sector, offering new EV-centric solutions via the BrightDrop brand. Now, BrightDrop is celebrating its first-year anniversary.
General Motors launched the BrightDrop ecosystem of electric products last year, unveiling its commercial EV plans at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show in January. Among the products revealed were the EV600 electric light commercial van, as well as the BrightDrop EP1, an electrically assisted pallet designed to quickly and easily move goods over a short distance.
BrightDrop started delivering the first 500 examples of the EV600 to FedEx last December, just 20 months after the electric van was unveiled. The milestone made the BrightDrop EV600 the fastest-developed vehicle in GM’s history.
The BrightDrop EV600 features GM’s Ultium battery technology and GM’s Ultium drive motor technology. Range per charge is estimated at 250 miles, with charging rates upwards of 170 miles per hour via 120 kW DC quick-charge capabilities. In back, the BrightDrop EV600 offers 600 cubic feet of space, while onboard tech also includes safety and convenience features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Keep Assist. Regular production will take place at the GM CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Canada.
BrightDrop is also offering the slightly smaller EV410 all-electric delivery van.
Other BrightDrop customers include Walmart, which reserved 5,000 BrightDrop EVs, while Verizon plans to incorporate the EV410 into its fleet as well. Impressively, Merchants Fleet is set to purchase 18,000 BrightDrop EVs, while FedEx has signed an agreement to purchase an additional 2,000 EVs.
Beyond the vehicles, the BrightDrop EP1 electrically assisted pallet completed its first pilot programs last year, helping FedEx couriers handle an additional 25 percent more packages daily.
Unsurprisingly, the BrightDrop team is growing, with the company expanding from 20 to 150 employees, including experts in the fields of robotics, autonomy, and manufacturing.
BrightDrop recently opened its first brick-and mortar dealership in Fontana, California.
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Comment
This is very good as another source of electric cargo vehicles after Rivian and Ford.