Detroit, Michigan - BrightDrop, has been announced today by General Motors, a new company offering an ecosystem of electric products intended to aid delivery and logistics companies in order to maximize productivity, employee safety, lower costs as well as support sustainability goals.
“BrightDrop offers a smarter way to deliver goods and services,” said Mary Barra GM Chairman and CEO. “We are building on our significant expertise in electrification, mobility applications, telematics and fleet management, with a new one-stop-shop solution for commercial customers to move goods in a better, more sustainable way.”
Estimates by GM suggest that that the market for food, parcel delivery and reverse logistics will exceed $850 million in the United States by 2025. In addition to rapid increases in demand for last-mile delivery, the World Economic Forum states that we can expect a 36% increase in delivery vehicles in the world’s top 100 cities as well as a rise in delivery-related carbon emissions by approximately one-third.
To cope with steadily increasing demand, BrightDrop’s products aim to help companies operate more efficiently and sustainably. The BrightDrop ecosystem is comprised of the following products and services:
BrightDrop EP1
The BrightDrop EP1 is a fully electric pallet designed to move goods over short distances. Propulsion-assistance, adjustable shelving with lockable doors, and 200lbs of payload capacity help reduce costs, package touch points as well as physical strain on delivery drivers.
BrightDrop EV600
The BrightDrop EV600 is expected to be delivered to its first customers by late 2021, with greater availability by early 2022. The EV600 will be a fully electric light commercial vehicle intended to transport goods and services over long distances, boasting over 600 cubic feet of cargo area, 250 miles of range on a full charge, and segment-leading safety features.
Software-enabled services
BrightDrop also delivers a variety of software services to improve the functionality of their ecosystem and improve the customer experience. This includes providing businesses with data and insights to improve operations, providing visibility and access to packages through BrightDrop’s cloud-based software platform, and tools to improve the efficiency and logistics of delivery.
BrightDrop mobile asset management and BrightDrop EV fleet management
EP1 and EV600 connectivity provide BrightDrop the ability to give customers real-time features such as location monitoring, battery status, remote diagnostics, insights and safety alerts.
BrightDrop’s first pilot program in partnership with FedEx Express has shown that use of the EP1 has led to a 25% increase in packages handled per day, as well as feedback stating that the EP1 pallets are easy to maneuver and reduce physical strain. The company plans to continue innovating and growing its product offering with hopes of creating a variety of zero-emissions solutions to drive sustainability, efficiency and emerging customer needs.
“Our need for reliable, sustainable transportation has never been more important,” said Richard Smith, FedEx Express Regional President of the Americas and Executive Vice President of Global Support. "BrightDrop is a perfect example of the innovations we are adopting to transform our company as time-definite express transportation continues to grow. With this new suite of products, we will help improve the safety, security and timeliness of FedEx Express deliveries, while reducing our environmental impact and protecting the well-being of our couriers."
For additional information on BrightDrop and its products, visit: gobrightdrop.com