FedEx has received the first five, of an order of 500, electric light commercial vehicles from BrightDrop, the new electric delivery and logistics business from General Motors.
FedEx has set a goal to operate an all-electric, zero-emission global pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet by 2040. As part of that effort, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, plans for 50% of its global PUD vehicle purchases to be electric by 2025, rising to 100% by 2030.
The company said its collaboration with BrightDrop has created an avenue to help achieve these goals, backed by a world leader in the automotive industry.
“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.”
Powered by the Ultium battery platform, the EV600 is designed for deliveries, with an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a full charge. Purpose-built for the delivery of goods and services, the vehicle offers more than 600 cubic feet of cargo area.
These first few EV600s are being delivered to the FedEx Express facility in Inglewood, California, US, where they will be housed and operated. To support the new vehicle technology, FedEx is building charging infrastructure across its network of facilities, including the 500 charging stations the company has already installed across California.
FedEx added it is also actively working with utility companies to help evaluate and determine the capacity needed for electrical grids to support such charging infrastructure.
“With a longstanding mission to connect the world responsibly and resourcefully, FedEx is investing in transformative solutions fuelled by innovation,” said Jackson. “That’s why we’re eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work alongside the BrightDrop team, as well as other stakeholders in the private and public sector.”
