Gas, What Gas? The BrightDrop EV600 Is GM's Purpose-Built Electric Van To Deliver All Your Packages!

( tfl-studios.com ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts!
From the 2022 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Andre takes a closer look at the BrightDrop EV600 - GM's purpose-built last-mile delivery vans meant to reduce emissions and costs thanks to its all-electric powertrain.
( / tflcar ) Visit our Patreon page to support the TFL team!
Watch more videos from TFL Studios:
The Fast Lane Truck ( / tfltruck )
The Fast Lane Car ( / tflcar )
TFLoffroad ( / tfloffroad )
TFLbike ( / @tflbike )
TFLnow ( / tflnow )
TFLclassics ( / tflclassics )
TFLtalk ( / tfltalk )
TFL Podcasts:
TFLtalk (Formerly TFL Talkin' Cars) Podcast ( tflcar.libsyn.com/ )
TFL Talkin' Trucks Podcast ( tfltruck.libsyn.com/ )
#GM #Brightdrop #EV

[@BYLRPhil]

I worked for a FedEx Ground contractor for 1-1/2 years, and the truck you got for the day could mean the difference between a good day and a miserable day. This looks like a good day :-)

[@JeffMathias]

It will keep drivers cooler in summer with EV

[@steinwaymodelb]

GM's CAMI plant, just down the road from me in Ingersoll, Ontario, is in the process of retooling to switch from Equinox production to this Brightdrop van.

[@101taiga]

That would make an excellent camper van! Interested in seeing how these do hauling big loads and the mileage they get. 😃

[@oscarwalton1188]

Definitely I could also see it as a food truck also trades to plumbers electricians painters and the like also

[@WW-wf8tu]

250 mile range. It is not a consumer product however. IF it were, I am not sure it would be my 1st choice of a camper van. Just depends on how far out of the way you want to get from the EV charging networks and or off the grid.

[@kenmcclow8963]

@@WW-wf8tu With all the flat roof space you could add a lot of solar and if you were boondocking somewhere for a week even if the solar added 10 miles a day you would have 70 extra miles to get to a charger. I have a solar generator that can add about 10 miles to my Tesla from the storage, but then it can charge from solar. It would be nice if they integrated a cable for a solar option, but I would be willing to just use the plug. The flat sides and the size would make a very roomy RV. I think they will have a smaller 400 version as well

[@JOHNJ0HN9111]

@@kenmcclow8963 sad thing you'll have to have 100% sun 24/7..

[@mowgli6345]

@@JOHNJ0HN9111 So then spend the day outside and air it out when the sun is set so it stays cool inside through the night.

[@oscarwalton1188]

I'd really like to see them bring back the GMC class a RV they had in the 70s as a EV it would make a cool concept vehicle if nothing else

[@legostud]

I’d love one of those.

[@ericcrockett479]

Yes!! the modern urban assault vehicle EV

[@oscarwalton1188]

@@ericcrockett479 exactly stripes forever

[@adamwe12]

Will be a great ‘Vanlife’ conversion! Can’t wait to see this one and other EV vans converted into RV’s!

[@brianb-p6586]

RollAway is offering RV versions for rental.

[@seanpeine9258]

So glad to hear AWD finally a real option!

[@XceedDriver]

It’s nice to see one of these vans relative to people. I didn’t know they were so big!

[@daveloderhose874]

I spent a good part of my working life in a working out of a van like this and believe me I would enjoy that van.

[@jrghays46]

This should be on TFLev

[@johndidio5198]

WOW THAT TRUCK IS GORGEOUS!!! PHENOMENAL

[@jcferg3370]

When will they allow for public purchases so we can transform the vans into an RV?

[@derekphillips9846]

My fantasy camper van is one step closer. I would like a bit more range. But we are heading there!!

[@ericcrockett479]

These are perfect for urban delivery

[@nosnostro4113]

Spasibo за хороший ролик.

[@sebastiant5695]

Really, just produce one without the sliding door openings and you got very nice looking RV. I'll take one.

[@Punchie440]

Looks a lot better then the transit and has better ergonomics and range. Nicely done GM

[@westcruz3878]

Not bad I give it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jeepfreak53]

Great video Andre! Are you able to make a video on the new body style International MV series if it’s there? Haven’t come across any well-done videos on it yet.

[@TFLnow]

We are planning something special with the new MV trucks - this is coming in a few weeks.

[@Nebula1701]

If you haven't noticed the Screens and shifter in the Bright Drop truck are taken directly from the Hummer EV.

[@obiwankenobi779]

A excellent space hauler.

[@joshuascott5867]

I worked on the suspension for this has the same frt suspension as the hummer

[@rzu7120]

Was that the charging port behind the left rear tire?

[@targetguy777]

good range for a huge delivery truck plus future batterys will have more range. i imanine many rv companys will be looking at this also.

[@johnbuehner5275]

Good to see that they are addressing an important part of the market. Last mile delivery has to be pollution-free

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

Does Brightdrop have any plans on making traditional vans and cutaway chassis cabs in the future? Would they be branded under the Chevrolet brand?

[@labradogs1]

This one has 600 sq ft of cargo capacity. There are plans to build a 400 a little later. Will be Brightdrop

[@andrewsbbq]

Andre, unless it's a display model only, you should play around with that new Google infotainment system. Might be the new benchmark

[@richardnottelmann58]

Why is the shifter blocking the air conditioner vents?

[@brentweaver3092]

I want one for a camper

[@ben3989]

thats a lot of range!

[@harleyrobertson6746]

That gauge cluster looks like a holley electric dash

[@darinkeesey6408]

Concern: about 6:20 into video. Watch the men getting in and out of passenger door. All are different heights. Look at the very uncomfortable steps in/out. Now carry a box out of it.. could have made that better/safer work related... it is thing like that the working man has to deal with.

[@phatmeow7764]

holy crap is that as big or even bigger than a LWB extended Sprinter?

[@TheLhsgrad]

Electric Food trucks are definitely going to be in the near future

[@brianb-p6586]

I doubt a food truck operator could justify the cost of one of these vehicles.

[@12vLife]

Is the BV1 still happening? It's almost 2023 and no new news??

[@sonofagun1037]

I just realized something about these skateboard EV vans. You don't have space for water tanks for RV conversions. Maybe if you made a custom tank and put it in the walls? It might make handling a pig depending on the size of the tank, I guess in the front on either side you'd have two connected tanks in the doors and in the back you have your gray and blackwater tanks on oposing sides to keep the balance of the vehicle.

[@brianb-p6586]

There's no "skateboard", but nearly every EV puts the battery under the floor - because it's too large for anywhere else - so space for tanks in a battery-electric RV is certainly an issue. There doesn't seem to be anything under the floor behind the rear axle, so there might be some space there in the longer version (the 600 shown, rather than the shorter 400 model). A company called RollAway is now offering RV conversions for rent. Their website doesn't provide much detailed description, but perhaps some information is available on their solution.

[@ST-nc3gm]

250 mile range for a delivery truck? 🤔

[@kossaga]

And did I hear him say 250 mile range WITH payload? That is the first I heard that range could be achieved with payload onboard. I'm looking for a source to confirm this, but I'm not finding anything yet.

[@hipo6352]

Next big bus

[@swathdiver489]

Wonder how long it will take to recharge and the life cycle of the battery will be?

[@jminaya90]

Most of the battery nowadays is 8 years

[@grahamstefaan]

This would make a great urban vanlife vehicle if you had affordable charging but would be way better as a hybrid.

[@brianb-p6586]

Despite the comment at 3:07, there's nothing "skateboard" about the chassis. Of course the battery is under the floor, like almost every other EV, but that doesn't make it a skateboard.

[@southhillfarm2795]

I wish GM good fortunes with this van. But as a tradesman I need a tradesman type of van. Wouldn’t take much to turn this into a trades van. But it also means good battery size and that’s where this van is not ready for me.

[@donhappel9566]

I'm in exactly the same boat. I run an NN2500 5.7 V8 right now. I could get by with a smaller van most days but still need towing capacity and none of the Euro vans offer more than 7500 lbs. I suppose I could get an EV van for daily and a truck for towing, but that's twice as much money up front for a vehicle I would drive once a month. I also need a MINIMUM of 250 miles just to get to the job and back. My tesla driving friends love to talk up EV to which I say I'd be happy to have one - just as soon as one is built that can do the job.

[@YMAdventures]

I see myself expediting and living OTR on it.

[@brianb-p6586]

By the time you have added living space and the weight of the equipment, there wouldn't be much left for cargo. The 600 (600 cubic feet of cargo volume, 24 feet long overall) and 400 (400 cubic feet of cargo volume, 20 feet long overall )models have the same GVWR (and width, and height), but the 600 weighs 350 pounds more (for the extra 4 feet of body and structure) so it has 350 pounds less payload.

[@eugenecharrington7754]

Hope they arrive to Philly, Pa. a very polluted city.

[@Inferno45]

I wonder why Gm wont redesign the Chevy Express and GMC Savanna vans, those are really iconic?

[@donhappel9566]

Hell, I'd be happy if they just offered their 3.0 diesel in the Savanna/Express. I don't really like the traditional van layout compared to modern eruo-style vans but none of them offer significant towing.

[@112428]

Because they've been making the same van for almost 30 years and people keep buying them? I mean it's an internal joke within GM now about how old those vans are.

[@donhappel9566]

@@112428 You're right. Also they're the only traditional american style van still on the market and some contractors just don't like the look of modern euro style vans even though they are far more functional. At this point the one thing still in their favor is towing capacity as I think the highest you can manage with the Sprinter/Transit/Promaster is 7500 lbs. The Nissan NV1500/2500/3500 could be had up to 9500, but they've been discontinued for '22.

[@richardnottelmann58]

I understand that the mega companies are going to want maximum payload. But they could still put in a little more sound deadening.

[@erniearruda8861]

This van would make a awesome patty wagon for law enforcement in there fleet🤣🤣

[@houavue3881]

👍

[@WarthogRacer]

Could the USPS use these as a mail truck? The Oskosh ones are such a scam!

[@dominica2765]

Curious why you mentioned safety 100 times what is the van unsafe

[@zumezoom9593]

Just shared the video with my bosses... Let's see

[@DaveM-FFB]

Why is DeJoy and the USPS buying 7 mpg gas guzzler trucks when this will be available?

[@richardnottelmann58]

Range.

[@DaveM-FFB]

@@richardnottelmann58 Most Postal vans don't drive anywhere near 200 miles a day. Well within the range of any decent EV delivery van.

[@turtle4826]

These are the vans Amazon needs to buy. Get rid of all the rams, transits, and sprinter vans

[@brianb-p6586]

Amazon uses electric vans from Rivian.

[@bobclarke2242]

Larger volume goes well with longer range.

[@richardwieland9689]

I am a courier love this van but the range is too small in a 10 hour shift I put 240-250 miles on looking for a van with 300-400 mile range I live in Canada I spend $130 daily on a GMC Savana 3500 gas van

[@DeBABAYAGA]

I was wondering if we could have solar cells installed on top or a dynamo placed within the engine to keep charging it during the work time or while you’re traveling. Also, price is a very important factor to promote EVs.

[@Ry_TSG]

Solar cells on top would help range but they probably can’t charge it enough to make it worth the cost

[@30all]

As long as it does not carry weight , no way it can make itself to rv market, and if you share the electricity with house use? You shorten the mileage. Lose and lose .

[@aaronlane8276]

Does this mean no more Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna?

[@brianb-p6586]

No, the Brightdrop vans are EV only, and the Savanna/Express continue with gas engines.

[@bobw9297]

Its to big for the Toronto market , if they come up with different sizes and extend the range it would be better , I drove for over 40 years and I needed 600 kl - 400 mile range

[@steinwaymodelb]

They will have several different sizes.

[@112428]

This is the largest van. The EV600. They've already shown off the EV410 which is smaller, that will come later.

[@AkioWasRight]

Before we overload the grid any further, can please answer the question on how we plan to upgrade our electric grid to support all these new charging electric vans? In my area here in CA, we've already had two rolling blackouts in the past month, and it's not even summer yet.

[@kenmcclow8963]

That is an issue specific to California with the wind driven fires and the power companies shutting down power to avoid disasters. Further up the coast in Washington my power has only gone out once in 15 years for over an hour, and I have been charging my car for the last six years at home. Most electric use is during the day and the peak is usually from about 6pm to 10pm when everyone gets home an runs appliances. Most cars can charge up starting at 11pm to 5am and be fully ready for morning. A few grid operators are looking at tapping electric cars to stabilize the grid as they could pull a small amount of power from each car plugged in instead of firing up a gas peaker plant to handle some demand spike. Car owners would be paid for the energy pulled out and usually at the peak rate and then they charge at the off peak rate. Tesla has been doing this with their storage battery packs for years.

[@AkioWasRight]

@@kenmcclow8963 As it is, it's not an issue. But as more EVs come online, the more the grid will be stressed. Also, use is during the day, but charging begins exactly when the vehicles returns to port, which is generally between the 6pm to 10pm peaks hours. Also, keep in mind the demand of a delivery van fleet. They generally return later and leave earlier, because that's their schedule. If they need, say, 10 hours of charging for the day per unit, that leaves a narrow charging window. If the power is out for any extended period of time that night, you will have a full fleet of vans that are not fully charged. What's more, it's not just timing and what not. It's also how well the gear can handle charging spikes when all these EVs return, or if it possible to have bidirectional power to stabilize the grid. In many cases, it's no.

[@kenmcclow8963]

@@AkioWasRight every EV has the ability to set a timer for charging. I have owned two EV’s so far and it is not an issue to set charging to start at any hour you choose. California has recently added large battery storage units in the north and south that will reduce the need for leaker plants, however they will need to replace the aging nuclear plants and make up for the loss of hydropower because of increased drought from climate change. That could be offset by additional rooftop solar and large scale solar and wind projects, but apparently the utilities are trying to stop incentives for rooftop solar. It’s still not as bad as Florida utilities though

[@AkioWasRight]

@@kenmcclow8963 Again, this is originally about delivery vans and fleets. Fleets have narrower windows for charging. They arrive back later and leave sooner, so there is less room for charging time. Also, you're drifting away from my point. Whatever the solution is, the vehicles are hitting the grid before the grid's issues have be solved. That's exactly what's going in California. In instead of investing in the grid, they're putting the EVs first.

[@kenmcclow8963]

@@AkioWasRight I could tell you you are wrong 100 times and you probably still wouldn’t do any reading about it. It doesn’t matter if a van returns at 6pm, 9pm, or 11pm if it starts charging at midnight. Most regular routes are under 100 miles and that would easily be recharged in four hours. I have worked with fleets of delivery vans since the late 1970’s

[@Ynalaw]

Did they fix the spontaneous exploding battery problem yet?

[@jm100368]

Why is it taking years to find out anything on these EV delivery vans?

[@arenjay3278]

Too big for me. Ill wait for a new A-Team van.

[@donhappel9566]

Give me a smaller version more tradesman focused with at least the same range, preferably more, and you'll have my attention. Make it affordable and you may get my money. Give it a decent towing ability to compete with current half-ton trucks and I have cash in hand. But as shown...pass.

[@JogBird]

The hood is so long for an ev

[@brianb-p6586]

It's just enough for the front wheels.

[@cfconant]

waiting hours in line to charge up adds up to very late deliveries.

[@matthoffman8162]

What would be the benefit of cruise control on this vehicle? and as far as range, is that 250 miles of continuous driving? we all know stop’n’go puts range in the toilet, especially at 8000 lbs…it is interesting though

[@karlkelly9005]

Better range than ford e transit

[@InternetDude]

That shifter looks stupid and I think maybe doesn't work like a regular old fashioned shifter. For delivery folks they want the shifter quick and easy to use like old fashioned ones.

[@richardnottelmann58]

Also the shifter blocks the air conditioner vent

[@arenjay3278]

Honk the horn make everyone look at you.

[@americanrambler4972]

Once upon a time, GM actually designed and made functional, stylish and comfortable interiors. Even their trucks had nice style and function on the inside. The interior of this van looks like something cobbled from the 80’s and 90’s GM economy car parts car bin with a couple of recycled tablet computers slapped indifferently on the dash. And the integration of those doors and door latches are a step behind a late 1950’s to mid 1960’s bread van. The outside looks good, but the inside looks like a GM cheap phone it in bean counter cost cutter planning in the don’t care department executive office believing the customer will take whet ever crap we decide to dump on them school of design. We have already seen much better from other vendors.

[@googlreviews7813]

Just don't think about one if you live in Florida or other flood frequent areas. Batteries on these things will explode when in contact with salt water.

[@jaymoar3561]

Why does TFL keep shoving electric vehicles to us?

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Because content, views and $.

[@112428]

Because they report on the automotive market, and the automotive market is heading towards EVs.

[@jaymoar3561]

@@112428 yeah in about 35 years. Even if they cancelled gas and diesel vehicles today it’ll still take 25 years to phase out all gas vehicles. Plus when republicans get voted back in it won’t happen. Still a loooong way to go

[@StarInfinite00]

All these companies making evs are just making batteries bigger instead of more efficient like Tesla. Still not as impressive until they start making batteries more efficient.

[@theflew]

Let me know when Tesla makes a delivery van. This was announced after the Tesla Semi and available before it.

[@112428]

@@theflew Just like the Hummer was announced after the Cybertruck, and available before it. Noticing a pattern here.

[@infernoking7504]

Ev van garbage I would just get a old van and make it into a half hybrid. That thing is ugly and I bet gets horrible range.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

Ahhh, electric vehicles, giving sheeple the illusion of being «green»...

[@Lemon_Drums_USA]

Keep paying $5.80 a gallon and tell me who the Sheeple is?

[@hugolafhugolaf]

@@Lemon_Drums_USA You think electricity is free? And that electric cars are ecologically-friendly? The sheeple are indeed those who think that this is the way forward.

[@Lemon_Drums_USA]

@@hugolafhugolaf the solar panels on my roof charge my Nissan for free every night. It cost me about 7 cents for 25 miles of driving. You should probably turn off Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones and educate yourself on the money you could be saving. Or you could be like my neighbor and spend $93 a week on gas😂

[@hugolafhugolaf]

@@Lemon_Drums_USA I'm happy for you, but you are the exception. Not everyone has a solar panel on the roof. Not everyone lives in an area where solar charging is a possibility. And I don't know who these people are (right wing nuts I assume?), and I probably don't care either. I don't like to pay through the nose for fuel, trust me. My comment never referenced the costs, but the illusion of green-ness. And when everyone has gone electric (not that the power grid would be allow to sustain it as is currently, but that's another story), what do you actually think will happen to electricity prices? I'm lucky enough to live in a place where electricity is cheap. This is not the case everywhere, nor is it produced cleanly.

[@Lemon_Drums_USA]

@@hugolafhugolaf your logic doesn’t make any sense. And talking about power grids is laughable. Electricity will never get to the price of a $5.00 a gallon gas price. And also did you know they make solar panels small enough to fit in a backpack. Shit. If a person was cheap enough they could put solar panels on the top of the car the way RV campers do. This is an argument you’ll never win son.

[@SJDJFJFSKSXNDJWJQI]

Will never buy electric

[@travisb9130]

Never say never.

[@SJDJFJFSKSXNDJWJQI]

@@travisb9130 not willingly

[@AkioWasRight]

@@travisb9130 You just did.

[@ben3989]

You don't have to!