The pandemic has created a boom in the already exploding e-commerce industry. People are ordering goods online more than ever before, but delivering those goods is a carbon-intensive process. General Motors has launched a new line of all-electric products to help make e-commerce greener.
Called BrightDrop, the General Motors subsidiary will offer not only all-electric delivery vans but a whole range of products to make shipping and delivery systems more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Their van, the BrightDrop EV600, is powered by Ultium batteries and uses the same all-electric technology as the GMC Hummer pickup slated for release later this year. The van will have a range of 250 miles per charge, which is more than enough to support the average 50 miles of driving that the typical delivery truck driver logs in a day.
Side products include an automated cargo palette that can roll around and move goods independently. Called the EP1, the palette can roll alongside its human operator, reducing the physical strain on delivery workers.
One of BrightDrop’s first clients is Federal Express (FedEx), which put in a large order after they tested the technology with a 25 percent operations efficiency increase.
E-commerce demand is expected to push daily packages to 100 million a day by 2023. GM joins other manufacturers, who understand that electrified delivery is the way of the future. In an interview with NBC News, GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said, “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.”
Image Source: General Motors
