Take a look at GM’s grand plans for electric commercial vehicles

GM jumps on the electric train (or truck, in this case) and wants everyone to ride with them. In fact, they have released a series of live and catchy commercials as part of their #EVerybodyIn campaign, showcasing how their plans to switch to electric transport include vehicles for everyone, from ranch owners, families and delivery companies. GM has quite loudly stated its commitment to being part of a zero-emission solution rather than part of the problem. In this way, they devote an impressive amount of time, attention and money to the future of the new electric car. Business owners and operators who rely on commercial trucks and want to build a greener future should look up. “A commercial vehicle dealer next to me”When they are ready to see what GM has to offer.

According to some of their published plans, there will soon be a lot to offer. GM has announced that it will spend $ 35 million more on the quick launch of its EVs than originally planned. That push for EV vision should be completed by 2025, GM says.

The company also makes great sacrifices: they focus on long-term sustainability rather than short-term profits – something other mega-companies should consider. They said they understand it will take some time to profit from their new line of electric vehicles. But the investment is likely to pay off. One of GM’s big focuses will be on technologies that are applicable to different types of vehicles and even hopefully useful outside the automotive industry.

The first steps

GM is currently reporting that by 2025 they will release 30 brand new electric vehicles, most of which will be available in North America. The first commercial electric car they released was the BrightDrop EV600. GM has teamed up with another company that prioritizes sustainability and is moving to fully electric: FedEx.

The delivery company became the first recipient of a batch of five people BrightDrop EV600s. This small group was part of the first 500 built by GM. FedEx’s delivery fleet numbered more than 87,000 in 2021, and the FedEx driver makes an average of 75 to 125 deliveries per day. Thus, this collaboration between the two major U.S. companies could be an important indicator for other national brands: advocating a zero-emission plan. Next time FedEx comes close to your home, you might see one of these chic new vans.

So who’s next in line to get GM’s innovative and optimized commercial vehicles? GM has announced that by 2023 they will add a second electric delivery truck to their fleet, the mid-size EV410, and they will supply Verizon Communications with one of the first batches. GM does not disclose the size of the order from Verizon, but it can be assumed that this is impressive only based on the large size of Verizon. With a fleet of more than 24,000 vehicles, Verizon Communications is a great addition to the #EVerybodyIn movement and can extensively demonstrate electricity power.

The EV410 is designed for companies that need small vehicles operating in areas such as grocery and telecommunications. Given that by 2025, product and parcel delivery will grow by $ 850 billion, electric vehicles in these markets are a worthy investment by GM. From whomever you receive supplies, they can drive up to one of GM’s new electric cars sooner than you think.

Weighing costs

Those who fear that GM is taking a big financial risk are likely to be refuted. GM already has a long list of commercial companies waiting to receive their electric commercial vehicles. According to GM estimates, most companies can see thousands of savings annually by switching from diesel engines to battery-powered cars. Doing something good for the planet is certainly a bonus, but several large companies also see long-term financial benefits in supporting a zero-emission vision.

Even Amazon and UPS have publicly promised to shift their fleet from diesel engines to electric vehicles. It seems the world is behind this movement, and GM is leading.

Ultium platform

The superstar behind all of the electric vehicles GM will produce is the Ultium platform. You can see this in all of GM’s new commercials related to EV’s plans. This platform for electric cars uses a flexible battery architecture, compatible with a wide range of electric vehicles, from light to heavy – or even commercial vehicles. Part of what makes the platform so efficient is that it allows you to distribute the weight of the car on it, about 50/50. The Ultium platform also creates a lower center of gravity, providing powerful yet efficient management.

Here’s a little more that we know about Ultium. An Ultium battery can travel more than 300 miles on a full charge and can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just three seconds. While previous technologies related to electric vehicles had a reputation for being low-power, Ultium batteries are breaking this stereotype. The Ultium battery boasts an energy range of 50 to over 200 kW / h, and the platform features front, rear and all-wheel drive. GM developers are happy to continue to develop this technology, and because of its flexible nature, this ambition seems quite affordable.

So with all these plans to expand the car fleet and the technology behind them, where will GM dedicate production to these massive EV orders? Currently, GM’s two main manufacturing facilities are Factory Zero, the company’s first special electric vehicle assembly plant located in Detroit and Hamtram, Michigan, and the Orion plant in Orion, Michigan. GM will build a third electric truck factory in addition to existing plants.
In early 2022, they announced plans to spend $ 7 billion on an electric battery plant in Michigan to create a long-term basis for building EV cars. The plant will create 4,000 jobs, and Michigan is offering GM $ 824 million in economic incentives to implement the project.

Fear has struck the hearts of Americans about talking about sustainability and zero emissions: what about jobs? Much of the U.S. employment economy relies on factories that do not meet the zero-emission plan. However, Americans need a salary. GM demonstrates that being environmentally friendly does not mean eliminating jobs. The new plant in Michigan is a joint effort of GM and LG Electric and will be located on the site of the existing plant.

GM has extra steady tricks up its sleeve. Along with the creation of the Ultium platform, plans for new plants and more, the company is doing something amazing. GM is teaming up with Lightning eMotors to convert electric trucks to take commercial vehicles of Class 3 – Class 6 medium capacity (such as ambulances, school buses and vans) and turn them into battery-powered electric vehicles. Lightning eMotors will call itself the first manufacturer of specialty vehicles GM to produce fully electric vehicles of this class.

A hint of what lies ahead

These are just some of GM’s plans to continue to adapt its processes and efforts to a greener future. Although there has long been a financial thrill surrounding emission reductions, GM is proving that much can actually be gained by moving in that direction. When a mega-company like General Motors takes the lead in the green sphere, it inspires a signal for others to do the same. With high costs for EV space, new plants and new technologies, they create rather than eliminate jobs, and tune the world of commercial vehicles to a brighter future.

The question is how long it will take businesses to upgrade their fleet and bet their success on commercial EVs. Fortunately, current offerings, such as the EV410, reinforce GM’s commitment to affordable cars that do their job. As their EV lineup diversifies, GM may well become the best for supplies, utilities and other commercial services.