With half the weight, a 100 mile range, low operational costs, and prices to match a compatible diesel vehicle, Workhorse’s new NGEN BEV truck means the gasoline and diesel delivery van is now on its way to becoming obsolete with an all electric one coming to a local delivery route near you.
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Workhorse Group (NASDAQ: WKHS), the electric mobility solutions company and maker of commercial fleet vehicles like a step van, Sure Fly helicopter drone, Horse Fly delivery drones, and the W-15 Electric PHEV Pickup Truck announced that it put into production a battery electric 100 mile range all-wheel drive 6,000 lb payload delivery van with up to 1,000 cubic feet of storage that it says is priced to compete with similar diesel delivery vehicles. Workhorse is hoping this will not only make the Workhorse NGEN competitive against other similarly competitive BEV vehicles, but it will also make the van more attractive as a replacement for the diesel delivery truck, a staple in the industry. Since the vehicle comes in different sizes, this van may also have implications for other uses besides the commercial fleet market:
- NGEN Electric Delivery Van last-mile delivery system.
- Featuring an ultra-low floor 7.25” ground clearance to maximize cargo volume and reduce driver knee and back stress, entry and egress, loading and unloading much easier.
- Ultra low 19-inch floor and 105-inch roof height maximize cargo space, reduce knee injuries and enhance driver ease of operation.
- Ergonomic driving position fits drivers from 5'2" to 6'5" comfortably.
- 100 miles of all electric range. Optional range extender and unmanned package delivery drone.
- Workhorse will make the battery packs while Panasonic provides the cells.
- Hub motors in front provide tighter turning radius than comparable vehicles.
- All-Wheel drive provides surefooted handling in inclement weather conditions.
- Composite construction, enables a lightweight and rust-free body. 6,000 lb carrying capacity, robust enough for even the heaviest loads.
- Advanced telematics and collision avoidance systems.
- Curb weight: 4,000 lbs., half the weight of a traditional diesel step van.
- Storage capacity: 1,000 cubic feet.
- Available in 4 cargo sizes, model number matching its cubic feet of cargo capacity: NGEN-250, 450, 700, and 1,000.
- Production will start with the top of the line 1000 cubic feet model.
Standard Van Features:
- All-wheel drive.
- Automatic braking and lane centering.
- 26-foot turning radius.
- Superior handling for maximum versatility.
- The built-in Workhorse Metron telematics system tracks in real time all van and drone parameters to optimize performance and efficiency. Keeps track of things like cargo content and vehicle location.
- Ryder Truck Transportation is under agreement the primary distributor and provider of service and support for Workhorse.
NGEN-450
- n/a GVWR
- n/a payload
- 450 cubic ft. cargo space
- All wheel drive
- 50 MPGe
- 100 Miles all-electric range
- Level 2 (J1772) DC fast charge (CCS)
NGEN-1000
- 10,001 GVWR
- Up to 6,000 lbs. payload
- 1000 cubic ft. cargo space
- All wheel drive
- 50 MPGe
- 100 Miles all-electric range
- Level 2 (J1772) DC fast charge (CCS)
By taking on the diesel delivery and step van market by introducing and pricing a similar sized but extremely lightweight battery electric delivery van, Workhorse Group is hoping they can if not faster, then slowly chip away at the commercial gasoline vehicle fleet market. Their selling point is the low fuel and most especially the low maintenance costs that electric vehicles provide. For small business owners and fleet managers a vehicle with the same price point as a diesel without the exorbitant costs associated with it between maintenance and fuel, makes this electric van a compelling buy.
"For as long as I can remember, we've been discussing what the future of delivery looks like and what role electric vehicles will play in that," said Stephen S. Burns, CEO of Workhorse on their website making the production announcement. "We are proud to say - the future is here. With an off-the-lot cost on par with traditional fuel delivery vehicles, and substantial savings from there, we believe the NGEN will forever change the business of delivery as we know it."
In this particular case an added benefit for the now in production NGEN delivery van is its low weight. With a curb weight of just 4,000 lbs., that’s 2 tons, the Workhorse NGEN is half the weight of a traditional diesel step van. With a payload capacity of 6,000 lbs. at 1,000 cubic feet of space means that you can store cargo up to 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle itself.
The truck will be assembled at Workhorse’s Union City Indiana plant.
What do you think of Workhorse’s new delivery van? Let us know below!
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