Two electric-vehicle makers—Workhorse, a U.S. manufacturer of EVs for last-mile delivery, and cargo, delivery, shuttle, and transit zero-emission maker GreenPower Motor Co. of Canada—signed a multiyear deal to jointly make medium-duty Class 4 step vans for the North American market, according to a joint press release from the companies.
Under the terms of the deal, the companies confirmed a 21-month schedule during which GreenPower will deliver 1,500 EV Star cab and chassis to Workhorse starting this July, according to the release.
See also: GNA electrification project selected for New York program
The chassis will be used in the production of Workhorse’s new W750 step van, which is slated to enter production in the third quarter of 2022. Workhorse will finish off the manufacturing process and deliver step vans to its customers in the United States and Canada. The agreement includes deposits based on delivery thresholds and contains a renewal option.
The W750 will feature up to 150 miles of all-electric range, with a payload capacity of 5,000 lb. as well as standard 60kW DC fast-charging and optional 60 kW wireless-charging capabilities.
“Workhorse is delivering on our commitment to pioneer the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles by developing and building safe, reliable, and versatile electric commercial delivery vehicles,” Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch said. “Our partnership with GreenPower is a crucial step in a multipronged effort to redefine our product portfolio.”
Workhorse will have exclusive rights in the U.S. and Canada to sell Class 4 step vans based on the GreenPower-supplied base vehicle, according to the companies’ March 1 statement. The finished Class 4 step vans will be available under the Workhorse brand with Workhorse after-sales and support service.
“The Class 4 W750, alongside our legacy Class 3 C-1000 and W56 platform launching in 2023, will enable Workhorse to address the entire Class 3-6 commercial vehicle market,” according to Dauch. “I am very pleased to have reached this important agreement, and we look forward to working closely with the GreenPower team to make the first truck deliveries from our Union City, Indiana, plant later this year.”
See also: It’s 'go time' for electrification
GreenPower CEO Fraser Atkinson added: “Our technically advanced and proven EV Star line of vehicles that will underpin the new Workhorse vehicle also support our all-electric medium-duty paratransit, micro-transit, executive shuttle, vanpool, and cargo-delivery vehicles. Given our depth of experience, we are confident in our ability to meet and exceed Workhorse customer requirements and expectations.”
GreenPower’s president, Brendan Riley, also added": “We have been collaborating with Workhorse on this project for over six months and have already delivered several EV Star cab and chassis base vehicles to Workhorse. We look forward to ramping our activities on the co-development and integration of our vehicle with the Workhorse W750. We have been working with our partners to ensure the production and timely delivery of the vehicles pursuant to the initial delivery schedule as well as to support additional growth opportunities.”
Workhorse is focusing on providing drone-integrated electric vehicles to the last-mile delivery segment. The company also develops cloud-based, real-time telematics performance monitoring systems that are fully integrated with its vehicles and that enable fleet operators to optimize energy and route efficiency.
