General Motors has made public about a new business called BrightDrop, which will give a service of electric first-to-last-mile products, software and services to enhance delivery and logistic companies to move their goods more efficiently. The announcement was made by the CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra, at CES 2021.
According to General Motors, the BrightDrop solutions are established to help businesses to lower costs, improve employee safety, maximize productivity, and freight security, and support total sustainability efforts.
The EP1 is the first product in the market from BrightDrop. This product is of propulsion-assisted, electric pallet developed to move goods with ease over a short distance, for example, from the delivery vehicle to the front door of the customer. The EP1 can bring down the costs, physical strain on delivery drivers, and package touchpoints. In a partnership with FedEx Express, the EP1 pilot program has already been done.
Mary Barra, General Motors Chairman and CEO, says: “BrightDrop offers a smarter way to deliver goods and services. 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.”
The second product of BrightDrop will be the EV600. This is an electric light commercial vehicle to deliver goods and services over a long distance.
FedEx Express regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support, Richard Smith said, “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.”
