DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
- GM's new business will offer an integrated ecosystem of
electric products, software and services for the first to last
mile
- BrightDrop's electric pallet, the EP1, will be available in
early 2021, and its electric light commercial vehicle, the EV600,
will be on roads in late 2021
- BrightDrop introduces GM's Ultium platform to the commercial
vehicle segment, and features Level 2 and DC fast charging
capabilities
- FedEx Express will be the first customer of the new,
integrated solution
General Motors announced today a new business, BrightDrop, which
will offer an ecosystem of electric first-to-last-mile products,
software and services to empower delivery and logistics companies
to move goods more efficiently. These BrightDrop solutions are
designed to help businesses lower costs, maximize productivity,
improve employee safety and freight security, and support overall
sustainability efforts.
"BrightDrop offers a smarter way to deliver goods and services,"
said Mary Barra GM Chairman and CEO.
"We are building on our significant expertise in electrification,
mobility applications, telematics and fleet management, with a new
one-stop-shop solution for commercial customers to move goods in a
better, more sustainable way."
BrightDrop was born out of GM's Global Innovation organization
and joins the lineup of other recently launched Global Innovation
startups, such as OnStar Insurance, OnStar Guardian and GM Defense.
From a growth strategy standpoint, this new business will unlock
areas of B2B, expansion of the Ultium platform and software and
service opportunities.
GM estimates that by 2025, the combined market opportunity for
parcel, food delivery and reverse logistics in the U.S. will be
over $850 billion. According to the
World Economic Forum, demand for urban last-mile delivery, fueled
by e-commerce, is expected to grow by 78 percent by 2030, leading
to a 36 percent increase in delivery vehicles in the world's top
100 cities. At the same time, this increase in demand is expected
to cause delivery-related carbon emissions to rise by nearly
one-third.
To help meet this surge in demand, while reducing the impact on
the planet, BrightDrop is developing an integrated set of solutions
to help improve almost every aspect of first-to-last-mile delivery.
The BrightDrop ecosystem includes:
First-to-last-mile
products
BrightDrop EP1 –
BrightDrop's first product to market, the EP1, will be a
propulsion-assisted, electric pallet developed to easily move goods
over short distances – for example, from the delivery vehicle to
the customer's front door. Available in early 2021, the EP1 can
help reduce package touch points, costs and physical strain on
delivery drivers. EP1 features and benefits include:
- Built-in electric hub motors with adjustable speed up to 3 mph
depending on operator's walking pace.
- Maneuverable in tight spaces.
- Carries and secures approximately 23 total cubic feet of
cargo.
- Payload capacity of 200 pounds.
- Adjustable shelving organizes contents.
- Lockable cabinet doors allow for secure, remote access to
contents.
BrightDrop EV600 -
BrightDrop's second product to market will be the EV600 — an
electric light commercial vehicle purpose-built for the delivery of
goods and services over long ranges. It will combine
zero-emissions driving with a range of advanced safety and
convenience features more common in consumer electric vehicles.
EV600 features and benefits include:
- Powered by the Ultium battery system, the EV600 is targeted to
have an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a full
charge 1.
- Peak charge rate of up to 170 miles of EV range per hour via
120kW DC fast charging.
- Over 600 cubic feet of cargo area.
- Available at a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds.
- Segment leading safety features
-
- Standard safety features2 include: Front and
Rear Park Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision
Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane
Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam automatic high
beams and HD Rear Vision Camera.
- Additional available safety and driver assistance features
include: Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist,
Reverse Automatic Braking, HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian
Alert, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, among others.
- Cargo area security system with motion sensors to help keep
cargo secure.
- A 13.4-inch-diagonal, full-color infotainment screen.
- Front sliding pocket doors, wide cabin walkways and a large
auto-open cargo bulkhead door all contribute to optimize driver
efficiency.
Early customer interest in the
EV600 has been strong, with the first vehicles to be delivered by
the end of this year. BrightDrop expects to make the EV600s
available to more customers to order starting in early 2022.
Software-enabled
services
BrightDrop offers an integrated,
cloud-based software platform, which provides customers visibility
and access to their BrightDrop products through both web and mobile
interfaces. Built-in connectivity provides businesses with detailed
data and insights that can help improve overall operations,
including route efficiency, asset utilization and product upgrades.
Drivers and couriers can utilize the mobile application for a
variety of tasks.
BrightDrop mobile asset
management – EP1 connectivity provides customers real-time
features, including location monitoring, battery status, remote
commands to lock and unlock, and over-the-air updates of connected
features.
BrightDrop EV fleet management
– EV600 connectivity provides fleet operators remote access,
real-time location, battery and charging management, driver safety
coaching and incident recording, remote diagnostics, safety alerts
and predictive maintenance insights, and over-the-air updates.
Future
concepts – The EP1 and EV600 are only the
beginning. BrightDrop will continue to grow its product offerings
over time to include a portfolio of integrated, zero-emissions
products to help drive further efficiencies and address emerging
customer needs. A number of concepts are being explored, such as a
medium-distance solution that transports multiple EP1s, and a rapid
load delivery vehicle concept.
Innovating with FedEx Express
BrightDrop is the result of extensive research and listening to
challenges faced by delivery customers and then leveraging GM
expertise to develop real-life solutions. An EP1 pilot program has
already been completed in partnership with FedEx Express. During
the pilot, FedEx Express couriers were able to effectively and
safely handle 25 percent more packages per day with the EP1s. FedEx
Express couriers shared feedback that the EP1s were easy to
maneuver and reduced physical strain.
With plans to continue innovating, BrightDrop and FedEx Express
have another pilot scheduled to take place in one of the biggest
urban centers of the U.S. this quarter. FedEx Express is also
slated to be the first customer of the EV600, receiving their
vehicles later this year.
"Our need for reliable, sustainable transportation has never
been more important," said Richard Smith, FedEx Express
regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of
global support. "BrightDrop is a perfect example of the innovations
we are adopting to transform our company as time-definite
express transportation continues to grow. With this new suite
of products, we will help improve the
safety, security and timeliness of FedEx
Express deliveries, while reducing our environmental
impact and protecting the well-being of our couriers."
BrightDrop operations
Travis Katz has joined BrightDrop
as president and CEO from venture capital firm Redpoint Ventures
where he was an entrepreneur-in-residence. Katz has an extensive
background as a technology leader, entrepreneur and investor. This,
combined with his track record of scaling global businesses, will
help BrightDrop further GM's vision of zero crashes, zero emissions
and zero congestion.
BrightDrop will initially serve customers in the U.S. and
Canada. It will have a customer
support team to assist with every aspect of operating and servicing
BrightDrop products, including supporting charging and
infrastructure installation, advising on upfitting services, and
retrofitting a current fleet vehicle to integrate with BrightDrop
products. BrightDrop support services will also assist with
maintenance needs, including securing parts and scheduling
repairs.
Customers will connect with BrightDrop through an independent
sales and service network, leveraging a newly established
BrightDrop dealer network to support vehicle sales and service.
For more information on BrightDrop and its products and
services, visit gobrightdrop.com.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused
on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and
accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium
battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to
high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its
joint venture entities sell vehicles under
the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun
and Wuling brands. More information on the company and
its subsidiaries can be found at https://www.gm.com.
1GM estimate based on a full charge and subject to
change prior to production. GM Estimated range based on
current capability of analytical projection consistent with SAE
J1634 revision 2017 - MCT. Actual range will vary based on several
factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, loading, and
how you use and maintain your vehicle.
2Safety or driver assistance features are no
substitute for the driver's responsibility to operate the vehicle
in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to
traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times.
Visibility, weather, and road conditions may affect feature
performance. Read the vehicle's owner's manual for more important
feature limitations and information.
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SOURCE General Motors Co.