General Motors has halted production of its BrightDrop electric vans, ending assembly at the CAMI plant in Ontario, Canada, after demand for commercial EVs fell short of expectations.

As reported by GlobalData, GM confirmed that production of the BrightDrop Zevo 400 and Zevo 600 will not be moved to another site, effectively bringing the short-lived BrightDrop van programme to an end.

In a statement, the company said the market for commercial electric delivery vans “developed much slower than expected,” leaving the Ingersoll facility running well below capacity.

More than 1,000 workers are affected by the decision. Union representatives from Unifor said the move followed months of uncertainty after production was paused in May 2025, and criticised US trade policy changes that added a 25% tariff on Canadian-built vehicles.

GM Canada president Kristian Aquilina said the closure “is driven by market demand and in no way reflects the commitment and skill of our workforce at CAMI.” He added that GM will continue to work with staff, unions and government to explore future uses for the plant.

BrightDrop was established in 2021 as a General Motors subsidiary focused on zero-emission logistics, before being folded into the company in 2023. Its Zevo vans were among the first large electric delivery vehicles to enter North American fleet service, supplied to operators including FedEx and DHL.

BrightDrop dropped — no more Zevo electric vans for DHL

The CAMI plant had been celebrated as Canada’s first full-scale EV factory, reopened in late 2022 after a rapid retooling supported by both federal and provincial investment. However, with EV sales growth slowing and incentives reduced, GM said the business case for BrightDrop had become untenable.

The decision is part of wider adjustments to GM’s North American EV capacity, following a 57% year-on-year drop in quarterly net income to $1.32bn (£988m).

Despite never making it to the UK, the BrightDrop shutdown underlines the challenges facing large-scale fleet electrification, as manufacturers reassess investment plans in response to weaker demand and shifting regulations.

Phil Huff
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