Fedex Recieves First Deliveries Of Brightdrop EV600

With all the attention that GM's Ultium powered vehicles have received, it can be easy to forget that the company is also expanding its commercial vehicle operations with the upstart Brightdrop sub-brand aiming to appeal to commercial customers. That includes FedEx with the delivery giant receiving its first batch of EV600 vans.

When BrightDrop was created, GM was keen on using the brand to help give the auto giant a slice of the growing EV sales pie. The Ford Transit EV and even entries Rivian and Bollinger Motors are showing the world that there is indeed pent-up demand for a full-size commercial van. But beyond testing and teaser photos, we haven't heard much about the EV600 in a while. That changed this week, with BrightDrop revealing that it has shipped its first production EV600 vans to FedEx.

FedEx Wil Be Valuable Testing Ground For Brightdrop

While it may seem like BrightDrop is following the same old script that we have seen countless times from other van makers, these FedEx vans will help provide the young firm with valuable real-world data. FedEx vehicles cover alot of miles and they also haul alot of parcels and other bulky cargo when they go through their routes every day. These two things alone will provide opportunities to see how real-world stresses affect the EV600's range. For example, the various parcels that are moved from place to place in the van will affect the range between charges especially if they have to haul bulky items.

FedEx has also played a pivotal role in the EV600's development with the company already testing BrightDrop's EP1 pallets in the field with that project being green-lit before GM spun off BrightDrop itself into a separate company earlier this year.

“The delivery of the first BrightDrop EV600s is a historic moment, born out of a spirit of collaboration between two leading American companies,” said Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer, FedEx. “At FedEx, transforming our pickup and delivery fleet to electric vehicles is integral to achieving our ambitious sustainability goals announced earlier this year. This collaborative effort shows how businesses can take action to help usher in a lower-emissions future for all.”

BrightDrop EV600 Gets 250 Miles Of Range, Targets Rivals

Thankfully, the EV600 can match the bulk of the hype that it has generated with BrightDrop officials claiming that the van can get up to 250 miles on a single charge. The van is also a hybrid of both a traditional cargo van and a step-in style van with BrightDrop claiming that it combines the best of both into a unique package.

While the five that made their way to FedEx won't make much of a dent in the broader sales picture right away, they will play a big role in GM's broader green future. In the case of the EV600, it will help GM make its operations carbon-neutral by 2040.

In the meantime, BrightDrop will also be working to make up some ground in the segment, with the van facing an early threat from Rivian and their commercial van which has already begun making deliveries for Amazon in both Los Angeles and San Francisco with the company ultimately hoping to order 100,000 vans. Archrival UPS is also entering the EV wars but the company is working with the UK-based firm Arrival Ltd and has placed an initial order for 10,000 delivery trucks.

Photo Credit: General Motors

Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. In addition to his specialization with Ford, he grew up in a General Motors household and is extensively familiar with their products too. Contact Carl on Twitter at @CarlMalek3, on Instagram and Facebook for automotive news to send news tips.