GM starts production of an all-electric step van

[MrNoodly]

It'll be a while before these start to trickle down to the used market where we ordinary nomads might afford them, but it might be good when they do.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/gm-brightdrop-electric-delivery-van-ev600-ev410/

[font=Gilroy, sans-serif]GM Starts BrightDrop Electric Delivery Van Production, Expands Lineup[/font]

[font=Roboto, sans-serif]The BrightDrop EV600 is now rolling off the line and GM is adding a smaller EV410 midsize electric commercial van to the mix.[/font]

[font=Roboto, sans-serif][size=medium][font=Roboto, sans-serif]General Motors has built its first [size=large][font=Roboto, sans-serif]electric commercial delivery vehicleshttps://www.motortrend.com/style/electric/?subclass=electric carhttps://www.motortrend.com/style/electric/?subclass=electric car through [font=Roboto, sans-serif]its newly created BrightDrop division[/font]. The BrightDrop EV600 is now in production to start filling an order for FedEx Express, which wants the electric vans in its fleet to help with holiday season demand for parcel delivery.[/font][/font][/size]
[/font][/size]

[font=Roboto, sans-serif][size=medium][font=Roboto, sans-serif]GM also has revealed an addition to the lineup: the EV410 which is a medium-sized electric commercial vehicle designed to make smaller, more frequent trips such as online grocery deliveries. The BrightDrop EV410 will have the same range of about 250 miles from a single charge but a smaller footprint so it is easier to maneuver and fits in a regular parking spot, BrightDrop president and chief executive officer Travis Katz said. The name EV410 refers roughly to its 410 cubic feet of space in the cargo hold.[/font][/font][/size]

<a href="https://ibb.co/ZdHDhmN"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/JnxJzQC/Screen-Shot-2021-09-29-at-10-07-22-AM.png" alt="Screen-Shot-2021-09-29-at-10-07-22-AM" border="0" /></a>

 

[MGfromBC]

I've always thought that this is where the electric vehicle revolution should have started. Cities are full of small delivery vehicles moving at low speeds or idling all day. It would have been an easier market to standardize and charging stations could more easily be added at loading docks. Aside from that, electric cars are a wonderful thing but congestion won't be fixed by them.

It's good to see this though.

Second thought, trying to imagine the look on a thief's face as he slides under the brand new van to cut off the catalytic converter.

MG

 

[nature lover]

A range of 250 miles is not going to suit me. I know recharging stations are popping up all over the place but still that’s slow traveling. I also can’t understand all the environmentalists that are head over heels for electric vehicles not realizing that The majority of the electricity generated in the US still comes from Burning fossil fuels.

 

[tx2sturgis]

In-city range might be 250 because stop-n-go operation lets you take advantage of re-gen braking....but that's likely to a lot less if you pointed that big boxy shape towards the horizon and floored it. I'm guessing the top speed is governed low, maybe 65, to help preserve range.

Also imagine the extra drain of A/C and heat load on that battery trying to keep that big box comfy in extreme temps.

But, on the other hand, you might be able to top-up the battery at full-hookup RV campsites as you make 200 miles or so per day, which is doable. 

But doing a deep dive into the middle of nowhere and expecting a few solar panels to get you ready for a 500 trip home....probably aint gonna happen, not yet anyway.

Sylvansport has an E-RV in the works...no idea about price yet, but they say it will have 'up to 400 mile' range:

https://www.sylvansport.com/leading-the-charge/

I have heard that Tesla might produce an electric van....eventually. We will see.

 

[wayne49]

Vehicle is expected to roll off the assembly lines in 2023, unless there is resistance.

 

[Ripper238]

I am waiting for the military to release the Alien tektology they have been working on for so many years. It will solve the majority of our energy issues. Maybe then ill consider and electric vehicle.

 

[wayne49]

What I found interesting is that EV pickup production by both Ford and Tesla is still on schedule. Unaffected by supply chain issues with silicon chips, that have impacted fossil fuel vehicle production.

Watt's up with that?

 

[MrNoodly]

What I found interesting is that EV pickup production by both Ford and Tesla is still on schedule. 

So is the Rivian.

 

[VanFan]

Interesting news!  In the transportation of goods, the final mile remains a huge challenge, so I am not surprised to see tremendous interest in that sector.  Obviously, range anxiety isn't as much of a factor for urban deliveries.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I think it looks nice but a bit surprised it looks like a 63 kurbmaster, I would have thought they would have rounded the sides more and flaired out the back to eliminate some of the drag and extend the range but perhaps for the city it would not make that much difference as aero does not kick in much till over 50 mph. Perhaps the body is made of lightweight materials to reduce weight and they kept the conventional shape for practical reasons. Several years ago I saw a postal truck about this size electric, I assume it was a trial model or test model, it was operational in a city.

 

[MrNoodly]

I would have thought they would have rounded the sides more and flaired out the back

Well, most of what they'd be carrying would be packed in rectangular boxes, so a big rectangle would be the most space efficient. (Unlike the Tesla pickup that imagines we live in a world of triangles.)

 

[brollins]

I kinda like it. I know Rivian is making electric vans for Amazon.

 

[John in Montreal]

I also can’t understand all the environmentalists that are head over heels for electric vehicles not realizing that The majority of the electricity generated in the US still comes from Burning fossil fuels.

v2g charging

 

[MrNoodly]

v2g charging

If I was still a homeowner and had an EV, I'd rather do vehicle-to-my-own-battery-array charging.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

A range of 250 miles is not going to suit me. I know recharging stations are popping up all over the place but still that’s slow traveling. I also can’t understand all the environmentalists that are head over heels for electric vehicles not realizing that The majority of the electricity generated in the US still comes from Burning fossil fuels.

Well one central fossil fuel plant has less emissions per vehicle and is more efficient than hundreds of internal combustion engines.
It also helps to reduce smog.
Which lets be realistic, is mostly coming from all these diesel cube trucks and vans. In NYC there are thousands. When we get the awful heat dome effect you can see the layer of orange smog.

For some folks, they can power their vehicles off of a solar array.
My sister and her husband charge their Tesla and Plug in Hybrid Prius from solar on the roof of their home.
On days when there is poor weather of course they pull from the grid. But so far most days they are making all their own car power.
The Tesla goes all the way into Manhattan and back every day on a charge.
If fleet vehicles were doing this with PV panels on the roof of their warehouses it would make a difference.

 

[bullfrog]

Well I know I for one am getting pretty fed up with Tesla owners coming into a remote off grid National Recreation Area where what limited power we have is from diesel generators complaining they can only use the free 110 volt 15 amp charging station which gives them about 15 miles of charge every 4 hours. The nearest on grid quick charge station is 110 miles away so that means they have to plan ahead and get a full charge before coming here which they don't. My suggestion to them is to call a tow truck and after seeing the cost most choose a longer stay but some try DIY adaptors in our 30 amp RV sites to try to get a quick charge which can cause problems for the already overloaded generators and campground power circuits. It is one thing to be a responsible owner of these vehicles it is another to think having one makes you privileged because you have saved the world!