EV Fleet BrightDrop Zevo 600

Spotlight EV Fleet: BrightDrop Zevo 600

States such as California and New York have set some ambitious goals as far as clean energy goes, and you can be sure that other states won’t lag too far behind. Small businesses and manufacturers are the backbone of local and national economies. However, overly productive communities run the risk of higher levels of toxic emissions from warehouse operations and commercial transport. 

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for commercial fleets is one way to spur the economy while not compromising air quality. GM’s BrightDrop Zevo 600 is a shining example of what the future holds for commercial EV vans. Here are some of its key features and benefits.

Design

The BrightDrop Zevo 600 has a futuristic design that’s both sleek and functional. The cargo van sits closer to the ground than most commercial delivery vans, which makes for easier loading and unloading of goods. Its wide doors can accommodate loads of different sizes and configurations. BrightDrop’s wraparound windshield gives drivers panoramic views that deliver a safer, more enjoyable ride. 

The all-electric cargo van has a 150-inch wheelbase and is 24 feet in length. Its battery is housed in the van’s floor, which is a key space-saving design feature. General Motors designed the van to have 600 cubic feet of interior space that can be further optimized with a select upfit package.

Performance Specifications

Despite the BrightDrop’s ample size, it maneuvers surprisingly well and is equipped with all-wheel drive. The EV van has a maximum gross weight rating of 9,900 pounds, and it has a payload capacity of 2,200 pounds.

A main concern of fleet operators is having an electric vehicle run out of power mid delivery. This van has adequate range that positions it to be a contender for longer-haul routes throughout the city. According to GM, the BrightDrop Zevo 600 has a range of up to 250 miles when its battery is fully charged. Its Ultium battery delivers 170 miles per hour of charging.

A great way to extend the range of your electric vehicle is to opt for partitions and shelves that are made of lighter weight materials. Steel shelves and partitions are known for their durability but do add weight that may reduce your EV van’s range. Ranger Design offers a wide selection of high-quality aluminum products that support maximum EV range.

Safety Features

Accidents and road hazards are some of the main liabilities of operating a small commercial fleet with routes in and around town. The BrightDrop Zevo 600 offers several safety features that reduce your liability and protect your drivers and cargo. Lane assist and departure warning signals reduce the chance of drivers drifting into nearby lanes even when tired or distracted. 

Delivery vans make frequent stops and must park in all types of tight spaces. That’s why GM equipped the BrightDrop Zevo 600 with front and rear parking sensors for a safer delivery experience even while meeting ambitious schedules.

Fleet Tracking and Management

Combining efficient vehicles with state-of-the-art technology is the latest trend for staying competitive in the logistics and delivery market. GM’s BrightDrop Zevo 600 is supported by a robust software package that enables fleet managers to remotely monitor all of the important elements of the EV cargo van. From a central warehouse, managers can view the location, battery charge status, and applicable crash reports of each van in the fleet. Fleet managers can even run remote diagnostic tests and lock and unlock vehicles via the cloud-based software.

Availability

GM manufactures the BrightDrop Zevo 600 at its assembly plant in Canada, and the van is currently in limited production. Companies such as FedEx and Merchants Fleet have already placed orders for the BrightDrop, and full production of the EV cargo van is expected to take place by the end of 2022.

Conclusion

Transitioning your traditional fuel-based fleet into a more energy-efficient version isn’t exactly a cut-and-dried decision. While some believe that everyone should transition to EVs right away, fleet operators understand that both the costs and the benefits of transitioning commercial vans must be considered. The benefits of GM’s BrightDrop Zevo 600 cargo van and its available accessories make the transition from a fuel-based fleet to an EV fleet one step closer to reality. 

Need more information about upfit products that can make your EV van more functional and help with reclaiming your range? Contact Ranger Design’s team of EV fleet experts for more details. 

Upfit your own BrightDrop van using using our configurator!

View our BrightDrop line of products