Electric logistics and delivery business BrightDrop has delivered the first five electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) from an order for 500 to FedEx, as the companies work to electrify last-mile deliveries.
Powered by the Ultium battery platform, the EV600 vehicle has an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a full charge. Purpose-built for the delivery of goods and services, the zero-tailpipe-emissions vehicles offer more than 600ft3 of cargo area.
These first few EV600s were delivered to the FedEx Express facility in Inglewood, California, where they will be housed and operated. To support the new vehicle technology, FedEx is building charging infrastructure across its network of facilities, including the 500 charging stations the company has already installed across California. The company is also actively working with utility companies to help evaluate and determine the capacity needed for electrical grids to support such charging infrastructure.
The introduction of BrightDrop’s all-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles into the FedEx fleet is part of the company’s strategy to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2040. FedEx has set a goal to operate an all-electric, zero-emission global pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet by 2040. As part of that effort, FedEx Express plans for 50% of its global PUD vehicle purchases to be electric by 2025, rising to 100% by 2030.
Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer at FedEx, said, “The delivery of the first BrightDrop EV600s is a historic moment, born out of a spirit of collaboration between two leading American companies. 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.”
“With a longstanding mission to connect the world responsibly and resourcefully, FedEx is investing in transformative solutions fueled by innovation,” said Jackson. “That’s why we’re eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work alongside the BrightDrop team, as well as other stakeholders in the private and public sector.”
Travis Katz, president and CEO of BrightDrop, added, “As e-commerce continues to grow, BrightDrop is thrilled to partner with FedEx in our mission to dramatically reduce vehicle emissions from delivery and deliver a brighter future for all of us. FedEx has ambitious sustainability goals, and the speed with which we brought the first BrightDrop electric vehicles to market shows how the private sector can innovate and help bring solutions for some of our biggest climate- and emissions-related challenges.”
“The EV600 combines the best attributes of a traditional and a step-in van into one vehicle, keeping driver safety, comfort and convenience top of mind,” said Katz. “It’s also the fastest built vehicle, from concept to market, in GM’s history.”
