Package delivery firm FedEx Corp. received its first 150 electric delivery vehicles out of the 2,500 the firm has ordered from BrightDrop, a General Motors company.
The Zevo 600s were delivered throughout Southern California to FedEx Corp. subsidiary FedEx Express. These last-mile delivery vehicles are equipped with GM’s Ultium Platform. The vehicle has an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a single charge.
“Our Zevo 600 has been a record-setting vehicle from the start,” Travis Katz, President and CEO of BrightDrop, said. “From a record-setting time to market, to delivering one of the largest fleets of electric delivery vans on the road today, BrightDrop is showing the world what sustainable delivery looks like.”
The receipt of the first batch of EVs marks a critical milestone for the parcel delivery firm as it aligns with its goal of transitioning its entire parcel pickup and delivery fleet to electric, zero-tailpipe emissions by 2040. Moreover, the delivery has been made just months after the Zevo 600 was commercialized.
“At FedEx, we have ambitious sustainability goals, and our phased approach to vehicle electrification is a crucial part of our roadmap to achieve carbon neutral global operations,” said Mitch Jackson, Chief Sustainability Officer, FedEx. “In just under six months, we’ve taken delivery of 150 BrightDrop Zevo 600s for our parcel pickup and delivery fleet. In today’s climate of chip shortages and supply chain issues, that’s no ordinary feat and a true testament to the collaboration between FedEx and BrightDrop.”
Additionally, FedEx is building the charging infrastructure to support the new vehicle technology. It has already installed over 500 charging stations across California and is working with utility firms to evaluate and determine the electric grid capacity needed for this charging infrastructure. The firm is also investing in on-site generation and procurement of renewable energy.
“For FedEx to successfully achieve our sustainability goals, it will require collaboration across the public, non-profit and corporate sectors,” added Jackson. “Our ongoing collaboration with BrightDrop is a perfect example of what is possible when two organizations come together and work toward achieving similar goals in pursuit of a better world.”
