As previously reported by GM Authority, electric vehicle sales in the U.S. reached a tipping point in July 2022, where the five percent adoption rate of EVs indicated that mass adoption is likely. With this mind, BrightDrop recently revealed that a strong percentage of companies have placed orders to replace their ICE-powered fleet vehicles with all-electric units.
According to BrightDrop, nearly 16 percent of companies have placed orders for EV fleet vehicles, while another 37 percent of companies have begun the search. In addition, the General Motors subsidiary claims that 63 percent of companies are making investments to develop sustainability and emissions efforts, while 42 percent are looking to be leaders in this initiative.
In other BrightDrop news, the first 500 units of the BrightDrop Zevo 600 began shipping from the GM CAMI Assembly plant in Canada back in April 2023. This comes as production of the Zevo 600 officially kicked off in December 2022, while BrightDrop has a goal of manufacturing 50,000 Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 units yearly by 2025.
As a reminder, the BrightDrop Zevo 600 is GM’s fastest-built vehicle ever, with a development cycle that took only 20 months from concept to commercialization. In fact, speed appears to be a theme with the all-electric delivery van, as reservations for the 2023 model year have already been sold out, while 2024 model-year units are currently available for preorder.
Intended from the beginning to serve as an all-electric van, the BrightDrop Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 both utilize Ultium battery technology for power and Ultium Drive motor technology for propulsion. The Zevo 600 features a dual-motor AWD powertrain that is rated at 300 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. In addition, the Zevo 600 is compatible with 120 kW DC fast charging or AC Level 2 11.5 kW charging and offers a peak recharging rate of 160 miles per hour.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more BrightDrop Zevo 600 news, BrightDrop news, GM EV news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Under what metric is a “company” defined. Are they solely talking delivery/courier fleets? Some details missing with those stats and figures
I think the bigger metric is only 63% of companies are looking to be more sustainable. Most of those have their health and safety officer add a slide at the end of their weekly report on their “environmental initiatives “ and budget a couple grand so they can showboat to investors. Maybe 1-2% of companies are making it their mission and it’s showing in their earning reports.
I find it incredibly in all honesty given todays market environment that 37% just replied “no, don’t got a green plane. It’s a scam” and just turned it down cold. Same as those reports that 60% of Americans would consider driving an EV. That’s bad. Means just under half of your customers don’t want it, not that 60% will buy. I’d drive a Ferrari. I’m never going to buy one 🙃
I don’t want an EV right now. No way an EV ‘half ton’ truck in their current and short term forecasted (next 5 years) offerings could ever suit my daily needs, let alone the occasionally heavy needs.
People not being open to EVs right now, especially in large countries like the US or even more sprawling Canada makes sense. Cost is also prohibitive in a market with already wildly outrageous inflated prices.
I think your expectations need to be more realistic to the masses and possibly not just your own individual judgy needs/wants/situation.
Looks like Brightdrop will be niche player as long as Ulitum production continues to be screwed up and there are tons of other models that need the packs too.
How much do these cost and how do they compare to ICE models?
Good for them, woopie. They have the places to park all their rigs and will pass on the cost to delivery customers.
Good for inner city courier services
Brightdrop is GM’s only bright spot on the BEV front in the US and they should capitalize on being an early mover in this rapidly evolving space.