General Motors’ new commercial EV subsidiary, BrightDrop, has built its first production van, marking a record-breaking start for the US-based electric brand.

Formed earlier in 2021, BrightDrop is GM’s dedicated electric vehicle division for the logistics and delivery sector, developing both vans and digital fleet management tools. The brand’s goal is to help major operators reduce emissions in the last mile of delivery, a market that is rapidly growing due to e-commerce demand.

BrightDrop EV600 electric van under construction

The company has now completed production of its first model, the BrightDrop EV600, which has gone from concept to reality in just 20 months — the fastest vehicle development in GM’s history. The first batch of vans will be delivered to FedEx before the end of the year.

The EV600 is powered by GM’s Ultium battery platform, and will offer an estimated range of around 250 miles while promising significant running-cost savings compared to diesel models.

Production is currently being handled by a US supplier, while GM’s CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Canada, is being converted to build the vans at scale starting in 2022.

BrightDrop has also revealed a second, smaller model, the EV410, aimed at urban operations and service fleets. The mid-size van measures around six metres long, with a cargo volume of more than 11m3.

BrightDrop EV410 electric van from GM
BrightDrop EV410

Like the larger EV600, the EV410 is expected to offer up to 250 miles of range and will include an extensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems as standard.

BrightDrop’s lineup now includes the EV600 and EV410 vans, the EP1 electric cargo container, and a software platform for managing vehicles and assets, creating a complete ecosystem for fleet operators moving towards zero-emission transport.

Production of the BrightDrop EV410 electric van is due to begin in 2023 at the same Canadian plant.

Phil Huff
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