BrightDrop Completes First Production Builds of its EV600
BrightDrop announced the completion of the first production builds of the EV600 and in time to deliver its first electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) to FedEx Express for the holiday season. The company also unveiled a new addition to its vehicle lineup, the EV410, a mid-size eLCV designed for smaller, more frequent trips. Verizon in the United States is the first customer slated to integrate the EV410 into its field maintenance and service fleet.
“Getting our first electric vehicles on the streets in record time before another peak holiday shipping season is the best gift we could receive this year, especially when we consider the supply chain headwinds the world is facing right now,” said Travis Katz, BrightDrop president and CEO. “This is a strong statement to the market of how our unique operations setup, which marries the cutting-edge innovation, agility and focus of a technology startup with the scale and manufacturing might of a major automaker, can deliver real value to both customers and the planet.”
BrightDrop’s EV600 rapid development timeline of just 20 months was made possible by leveraging GM’s flexible Ultium battery platform, virtual development processes established by the GMC HUMMER EV program, along with an agile approach to manufacturing development.
“As e-commerce demand continues to increase and the effects of climate change are felt like never before across the globe, it’s imperative that we move quickly to reduce harmful emissions. BrightDrop’s holistic delivery solutions are designed to help tackle these challenges head on. We’re excited to get these world-class electric vehicles on the streets in record time,” added Katz.
To hit this production milestone, BrightDrop is partnering with a U.S. supplier partner for initial low-volume production while the conversion of GM’s CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Canada, is completed. CAMI will serve as the large-scale production home of BrightDrop’s EV600 van starting in November 2022.
BrightDrop EV410
BrightDrop’s newest vehicle, the EV410 combines many of the same features of the EV600, with more than 400 cubic feet of cargo area (11,327 liters), a shorter wheelbase of just over 150 inches (3,810 mm) and length of under 20 feet (6,096 mm).
The EV410 will be suitable for faster, smaller payload deliveries or as a service vehicle—from online grocery delivery to telecom maintenance.
“Mainstream EV adoption by businesses will require the largest fleet operators to work together with innovators like BrightDrop in the development of vehicles that meet the particular needs of our business. Adding the EV410 to our fleet is the latest step in our commitment to Verizon achieving net zero operational emissions by 2035,” said Ken Jack, vice-president of fleet operations for Verizon, the first company slated to integrate the BrightDrop EV410 into its service fleet.
The EV410 will be available with many of the same range, segment-leading safety, and driver convenience features of the EV600, including:
BrightDrop plans to begin EV410 production in 2023 at CAMI Assembly.
