BrightDrop Unveils New Smaller Electric Van for Verizon | GM

BrightDrop Expands its Electric Vehicle Lineup

General Motors’ BrightDrop is rapidly advancing its market entry, focusing on the burgeoning last-mile commercial and cargo delivery sectors. The company announced on Tuesday the addition of a second vehicle to its portfolio, with Verizon serving as the initial customer.

First Production Builds Completed

Furthermore, GM has finalized the initial production runs of its primary vehicle, the EV600 van. Deliveries to FedEx, which previously ordered 500 units, are scheduled to commence before the year’s end. This represents the quickest vehicle program launch in the automaker’s history, according to a company statement.

Expanding Customer Base

Merchants Fleet represents a second customer for the EV600, having committed to a purchase of 12,600 vehicles back in February.

Introducing the EV410

Verizon will integrate the newly developed, medium-sized EV410 into its fleet for field maintenance and service operations. Specific order details and financial terms were not disclosed by either company.

Vehicle Specifications

The new van boasts over 400 cubic feet of cargo capacity and an overall length of just under 20 feet. GM highlights its suitability for navigating congested urban environments, making it ideal for applications like online grocery delivery and telecommunications maintenance.

Cost Savings for Fleet Managers

GM estimates that fleet operators can realize annual savings of $7,000 by utilizing EV600s in place of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Range and Manufacturing Details

Both the EV410 and EV600 are projected to offer a range of approximately 250 miles, powered by GM’s Ultium battery platform, and both vehicles weigh under 10,000 pounds. Production of both models will take place at GM’s CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. An initial, limited production run is being handled in partnership with a Michigan-based supplier, while the CAMI facility undergoes necessary modifications to support full-scale EV600 production starting in November 2022.

Strategic Market Diversification

The launch of BrightDrop earlier this year underscores General Motors’ strategic intent to broaden its market reach, specifically targeting the crucial last-mile commercial and delivery segments. To facilitate this, GM is investing approximately $1 billion CAD ($788 million) to transform the CAMI plant into Canada’s first facility dedicated to electric delivery van manufacturing.

A Significant Market Opportunity

The electric cargo and delivery sector presents a substantial opportunity for GM and other automotive manufacturers. Verizon joins a growing list of companies, including FedEx and UPS, that have publicly committed to reducing or eliminating net emissions from their operations.

Correction

Please note: A previous version of this article indicated FedEx would receive 500 vehicles by the end of the year. While FedEx will receive vehicles this year, deliveries will occur on a continuous basis.