General Motors launched the BrightDrop ecosystem of electric delivery products early last year at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show, pulling the sheets on a new battery-driven delivery van and a new electrically assisted pallet. Since then, BrightDrop has accelerated its product development and raced towards full-blown production, and now, according to BrightDrop CEO Travis Katz, the company is poised to meet “incredibly” high demand for its new all-electric delivery vans.
According to a recent report from Automotive News Canada, BrightDrop is already finding a wealth of customers ready to put the new EVs to work.
“The customers can’t wait to get these on there because not only does it help them meet their climate commitments … but it’s going to save them a ton of money because the operating costs are so much lower, especially with what’s happening today with gas prices,” Katz told Automotive News.
For the moment, General Motors has more than 25,000 orders for the new BrightDrop vehicles, with Walmart, Verizon, FedEx, and Merchants Fleet all raising their hands for models like the Zevo 600 and Zevo 400.
Previously known as the EV600 and EV410, the Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 incorporate GM’s latest Ultium battery and Ultium drive motor technology to provide emissions-free delivery transportation solutions for customers. As indicated by the names, the Zevo 600 can accommodate 600 cubic feet of cargo, while the Zevo 400 can accommodate 400 cubic feet of cargo. Both vehicles utilize the same platform and powertrain technology.
To meet the rising demand, General Motors has committed $1 billion towards retooling the GM CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario for BrightDrop van production. When it goes online, the CAMI facility will be the first large-scale electric vehicle production site in Canada, per Automotive News.
Retooling at the CAMI facility will begin later this month, and is expected to last around eight months. When the plant reopens its doors, the Zevo 600 will be the first model to roll off the line, followed by the Zevo 400 later next year.
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Comments
At least someone will be able to get a new vehicle and not have to wait. Thanks J Lo!
As the gm stock continues to tank.
Great move by Marry and the Team with Brightdrop.