FedEx Corp. announced June 21 that it has received its first 150 electric delivery vehicles from BrightDrop, the technology startup from General Motors that is decarbonizing last-mile delivery.
The delivery to FedEx of its first BrightDrops marks a critical milestone for the parcel delivery company as it plans to transform its parcel pickup-and delivery (PUD) fleet to all-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions by 2040, according to a FedEx release. The purchase also comes months after BrightDrop’s commercialization of the Zevo 600 as the fastest vehicle to market in GM history. FedEx Corp. is No. 1 on the FleetOwner 500: Top For-Hire Fleets of 2022.
See also: BrightDrop acquires AI software of tech startup Marain
“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 at 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.”
The first 150 BrightDrop Zevo 600s were delivered throughout Southern California to FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies. Powered by GM’s Ultium Platform, the Zevo 600 is designed for last-mile deliveries, with an estimated range of up to 250 miles on a full charge. This is part of a larger agreement between FedEx and BrightDrop that will see FedEx incorporate 2,500 Zevo 600s across FedEx operations over the next few years.
“This shows how BrightDrop is delivering sustainable solutions at scale to customers today, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of FedEx’s sustainability journey,” said Travis Katz, president and CEO of BrightDrop. “Our Zevo 600 has been a record-setting vehicle from the start. 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.”
To support the new vehicle technology, FedEx is building charging infrastructure across its network of facilities, including the more than 500 stations the company has installed across California. FedEx also is working with utility companies to help evaluate and determine the capacity needed from electrical grids to support the charging infrastructure and is investing to expand on-site generation and procurement of renewable energy in its facilities.
“For FedEx to successfully achieve our sustainability goals, it will require collaboration across the public, nonprofit and corporate sectors,” Jackson said. “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.”
In 2003, FedEx was the first delivery company to use hybrid vehicles for pickup and delivery and, in 1994, the company used its first electric vehicle, an acid battery-powered vehicle in California.
