GM integrates EV startup BrightDrop into its CV business for seamless fleet adoption

Commercial EV startup BrightDrop, born out of GM's Innovation Lab in January 2021, has now been declared as part of GM, aiming higher integration with the group's e-mobility and commercial fleet initiatives. The company believes that this move will benefit its fleet customers by providing them with an efficient single point of contact through 'GM Envolve'.

Being a wholly-owned subsidiary of GM, it allowed BrightDrop to operate with the agility and innovation of a tech startup and benefit from GM's deep manufacturing expertise. The startup has produced a product portfolio that is helping customers like FedEx, Ryder and DHL decarbonize their fleet operations and a team that brought an electric delivery van to market in record time. 

As BrightDrop has matured, GM now wants to make it more efficient to help fuel its initiatives with commercial customers. It remains committed to scaling BrightDrop Zevo production, the company's quintessential electric delivery vehicle, which is expected to resume in the spring of 2024.

From now on, BrightDrop electric delivery vans - Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 - will be part of GM Envolve's commercial fleet offerings. Additionally, GM is bringing together all commercial digital solutions, including BrightDrop Core, into GM's software and services organization.

GM says BrightDrop will be supported by the launch of CAMI's new battery-module plant based in Canada. This new battery-module line will have capacity to fully support Zevo production at CAMI and supplement EV production at other GM plants, notes the automaker.