On Dec. 17, BrightDrop delivered the first five of 500 electric light commercial vehicles to FedEx, the first customer to receive the EV600s. 

BrightDrop says that the EV600s are the fastest-built vehicles, from concept to market, in General Motors history. The introduction of the all-electric, zero tailpipe-emissions vehicles into FedEx's fleet is an important step in the company’s goal to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2040.

The vehicles are powered by the Ultium battery platform, with an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a full charge and with more than 600 cubic feet of cargo area. The EV600s are purpose-built for the delivery of goods and services.

As part of FedEx's goal to operate an all-electric, zero-emission global pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet within the next 20 years, FedEx Express, plans for 50% of its global PUD vehicle purchases to be electric by 2025, rising to 100% by 2030. 

“The delivery of the first BrightDrop EV600s is a historic moment, born out of a spirit of collaboration between two leading American companies,” said Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer, FedEx. “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.”

The first EV600s were delivered to FedEx Express in Inglewood, Calif., where they will be housed and operated, the announcement states. To support the new vehicle technology, FedEx is building charging infrastructure across its network of facilities, including the 500 charging stations the company has across California. FedEx is also working with utility companies to evaluate and determine the capacity needed for electrical grids to support charging infrastructure.

“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,” said Travis Katz, president and CEO of BrightDrop.