General Motors has set a record for the furthest distance travelled by an electric van after taking its BrightDrop Zevo 600 on a 260-mile trip from New York City to Washington, D.C.
Stephen Marlin, BrightDrop’s Client Solutions Account Executive, completed the 260-mile trip on a single charge earlier this week – just in time for Earth Day 2022 on Friday. The record-setting run was evaluated and confirmed by representatives from The Guinness Book of World Records, certifying the Zevo 600 as the longest-distance electric van available to customers today.
While GM probably could have stretched the Zevo 600’s range a bit more if it were empty, that wouldn’t be very representative of how the delivery van will be used in the real world. As such, GM loaded the van up with sustainable cleaning products manufactured by a company called Full Circle for the record-setting run, bringing them from the company’s HQ in New York City to the MOM’s Organic Market in downtown Washington, D.C.
BrightDrop president and CEO Travis Katz says this record is the perfect way to demonstrate the capabilities of the Zevo 600, which will enter production at the GM CAMI plant in Ontario, Canada later this year.
“Having a long battery range with reliable power is critical to electrifying delivery fleets everywhere,” Katz said. “This special delivery highlights our products’ advanced capabilities and our mission to decarbonize deliveries.”
While the Zevo 600 has yet to officially enter production at its Canadian assembly plant, the first 500 examples of the vehicle are currently being produced by a third-party supplier a facility in Michigan. All 500 of these initial vehicles will be delivered to FedEx.
The BrightDrop Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 ride on a dedicated EV architecture, tapping GM’s Ultium model battery design and Ultium drive motor technology. The larger Zevo 600, which will launch in dual-motor all-wheel-drive form, has a GM-estimated range of around 250 miles and boasts 600 cubic feet of cargo space, with a GVWR of fewer than 10,000 pounds. It will eventually also launch in a single motor front-wheel-drive configuration. The Zevo 400, meanwhile, utilizes the same platform and powertrain technology but has a shorter wheelbase of just over 150 inches and 400 cubic feet of cargo space.
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Comments
That should do well on most delivery routes in most urban and suburban areas.
Now can they get the trucks in and charge them in time for the run the next day? I expect so with the better chargers they would be using.
Good job GM
I love to read stories like this one. Although I am very much for EV’s, I also understand that it’s a long and tough path to get everyone on board the EV train. On top of that, I am certainly a motor-head and love ICE as well and would still like to see them being made in some form for many years with the correct improvements to emissions.
However, when it comes to proper use of EV’s, I’ve said for a long time that the best use of PHEV and EV’s would be for large vehicles (trucks, Vans, SUV’s) as well as the best use for commercial trucks/delivery vehicles like UPS and FedEx use. First, it will be a great way to reduce emissions. Second, a great reduction in noise. Third, if enough go this route, maybe it will lighten the burden at the pump for cars and smaller ICE vehicles. Lastly, as long as we convert our grid to renewable energy (wind and solar) and re-purpose the old batteries from these trucks at the end of life cycle for them, then we are on the right track. I just hope this spreads to all delivery trucks and short-haul large trucks in general.
Makes sense for urban delivery vehicles for sure- lots of starts and stops and good support infrastructure.
My thing with the push for EV is why is it so sudden and hard?
Why not phase in hybrid so everyone gets used to the battery situation and can learn to work with charging stations and let the networks build out…
Govt for you I suppose…
dg: John z said it well below. Electric and hybrid are certainly not new. There were electric cars back in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. There’s been the experimental electric from GM (EV1 if I recall the name) back in the early 90’s or so. Hybrids have been around now for around 20 years and plug-in hybrids have been in use for nearly 10 years in some areas. Even electric machines have been around a long time. Case in point? I (not so fondly) recall having to mow a lot of grass on the farm I grew up on and for many years we had a John Deer all electric mower. That’s going back to the early 80’s.
What I think you may be noticing is that hybrid/EV is finally being talked about daily and there is a huge push for it and it’s well over due. But the industry needs to use them in and for the right places first and phase it in everywhere else over time, allowing the public to learn more and accept it. My first EV was a 2015 Chevy Spark and I wish I had that car back now.
I believe the electrification of commercial vehicles like these vans will provide an unexpected boost to EV acceptance by the general population. Think of it – drivers of these vehicles are paid employees, most of whom would probably not seriously consider making the switch from ICE to EVs in their personal lives. Once they get involved with electrified power and experience the instant response, the smoothness, the quietness, the overall superior operational capabilities, they will begin to consider going electric with their own personal transportation. And once they do, their relatives, friends, and acquaintences are going to be affected.
In 2012, I leased a Volt. In 2015, I turned it in and took over the lease of a Spark EV. In 2017, I turned the Spark in and bought a Bolt which I still have today. During these years, my brother bought a second generation Volt, and a couple of years ago my sister bought a used first gen Volt. That’s how things happen.
StuartH: Excellent point. Thank you.
I would add that the largest (best) results will come from the pickup truck’s where people have EV’s instead of gas or diesel. That’s where the trickle down effect will be greatest for EV’s.
How far could an electric van go if you needed power to heat the interior.
In Saskatchewan,Canada it get -40 in winter with wind and can stay that way for weeks. Will it work here?
Does anybody know something about GM’s plans for passenger van for the future.
I feel like that,people like you and me ,that need passewnger vans are being left behind by GM—especially if you look at what other MFG have been offering for a while now.
I know that the Express and Savanna are quite capable,but after being on the same platform for decades—I think we deserve an update.