Detroit Company Wants to Turn GM’s BrightDrop Electric Vans into 250-Mile Campers

One of the biggest problems with RV electrics right now is the fact that existing models don’t have a good range. The Ford E-Transit van builds like the Winnebago ERV2 have an impressive range of just 108, not enough to get you anywhere in any kind of timely fashion. Basically, the Detroit startup with an electric car that is cheaper than the competition, also fell into this hole with its launch product, the E-Transit G1. Now, Grounded has unveiled the next evolution of its camper van design. The Grounded G2 promises a range of 250 miles by being built from GM’s BrightDrop commercial vehicles.

While electrification is spreading across the automotive and motorcycle industries, we have yet to see a viable electric RV. There seem to be several problems for manufacturers to overcome, such as the fact that RVs tend to be large, cramped, and heavy, all characteristics that are not good for EVs. Possible solutions are on the horizon, such as the Harbinger initiative by Thor Industries and its custom chassis. For companies targeting Class B camper vans, the hurdle may be the donor vehicle. The Ford E-Transit has been chosen by big names like Winnebago and startup companies alike. However, with 108 miles on the tube, you’re not going to take one of these campers across the country. Well, you can, but it will take forever.

That brings us to Grounded.

Back in March, I wrote about its launch vehicle, the G1 camper van. Grounded boasts many interior configurations and a fully functional electric camper for less than the ICE establishment. While I feel the quality of the Grounded may leave something to be desired, I like the idea of ​​an EV camper that is cheaper than an ICE. Still, it’s hard to get around the 108-mile range limit. In March, Grounded CEO Sam Shapiro told me that his G2, which will still be a car, will have a range of 250 miles. At the time, I had no idea how Grounded planned to achieve that. The company isn’t changing the underlying platform, so it’s sticking with whatever it gets from the automaker.

Apparently, I didn’t consider the idea that Grounded could just turn a delivery van into a camper. Grounded isn’t the first company to target GM’s BrightDrop vehicles for camper conversions, but it is the latest.

GM’s Delivery Future

BrightDrop is a subsidiary of General Motors that was founded in 2021. The company exists as General’s answer to the growing electric commercial vehicle market. BrightDrop’s focus is on last-mile delivery, or the kinds of trucks you see dropping off packages at your door or at a business.

Along with the automated warehouse carts, BrightDrop also sells a pair of cranes built on GM’s Ultium platform and built at the CAMI plant that used to build vehicles like the Geo Metro. Right now, the cars are being tested by everyone from DHL and FedEx to Ryder and even Purolator.

Our Thomas got to check one out, and he mentioned that the pickups have a cargo area with actual walking height and a volume of 615 cu.-ft in the largest model. The BrightDrop vans also feature GM’s current driver-assistance equipment and as a bonus, the cars’ interiors weren’t overwhelming or poorly organized. I highly recommend reading his review, but his driving description paints a good picture:

You can expect driving over a 24 foot step van to be scary, like navigating the Suez Canal knowing full well what the internet will do if you mess things up. However, this large package hauler is friendlier than a labradoodle, and easier to drive than most full-size trucks. How did GM manage that?

Let’s start with the appearance. Forward visibility is excellent thanks to the large windshield and A-pillar windows, while the microwave-sized mirrors have convex features to show you where your rear wheels are. Even without using the 360-degree camera system, drivers will know exactly where their wheels are at all times.

Add in light steering, a relatively tight circle, and super-smooth single-pedal driving, and you’ve got a formula that makes driving a breeze. Next to the BrightDrop Zevo 600, even the Chevrolet Tahoe feels stiff and unrefined, to say nothing of the litany of combustion-powered vehicles currently in use. I’m not suggesting you throw away the keys to your student’s permit, but this is about as stressful as an apartment building with cars gets. I dare say, it might be my favorite EV I’ve ever driven as it’s a step ahead of its combustion-powered predecessors and none of the desirable features have been lost in the switch to electric power. Imagine jumping off the wagon and onto the USS Enterprise. That’s what the BrightDrop Zevo 600 feels like.

Thomas also touts the car’s quiet cabin and comfortable ride quality thanks to its independent front suspension along with a solid rear axle and composite leaf spring. In other words, it’s a pickup truck, but don’t expect the driving experience of a GMC Savana or a U-Haul truck, here.

BrightDrop’s Grounded Camp Is Standard

For its next-generation camper, Grounded has chosen the BrightDrop Zevo 600 as its base vehicle. Underneath that body is an AWD electric car that boasts GM’s Ultium platform, with a 165-kWh battery pack and two motors that add up to 300 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The Zevo 600 is powered by 20 Ultium modules and Grounded says that even if offered as an RV you should get 250 miles out of it. That’s more than double what you get in the G1, so that’s good news!

Inside the 24-footer is an updated version of the classic Grounded interior. Grounded’s approach to the G2 seems to be similar to that of other companies experimenting with the modular concept, where you put interior modules on tracks.

The original G1 had no internals that you could build or modify yourself. When you buy the Grounded G1, the company takes you through a build tool where you use the company’s internal components to set up perhaps multiple builds. Building interiors like Lego allows Grounded to produce custom cars within days. Unfortunately, if you ever decide to change your layout, you must return G1 to Grounded for the changed pieces. So, I think “modular-ish” is the best way to describe the G1.

The G2 changes that and Grounded CEO Sam Shapiro says grounded G2 owners will benefit from a custom interior:

“The G2 is completely different from any other offering on the market,” said Grounded CEO Sam Shapiro. “It’s a big step toward the future of fully electric motorhomes, and makes sustainable travel attainable. We’ve designed the G2 to be as flexible as possible, and our custom interior delivers on the promise of an ever-improving RV interior. Over time, your life as your usage changes, the car can change with you.Customers can replace the modules themselves by removing the fasteners, removing one module and inserting a new one.

The change here seems to be the fact that the inner pieces are more flexible and are now attached with mounting rails, allowing the end user to change their camper without having to return it to Grounded. The company also says the Grounded G2 has built-in hardware KoskiDecor Eco Transparent, plywood from Koskisen. The material is Finnish Baltic birch with a translucent melamine coating on both sides. This protects the wood underneath while giving customers a choice of 11 different colors.

The upgrade isn’t limited to the standard interior, either. The launch G1 vehicles carry 5 kWh housing batteries, which are one-third the size of the battery found in the Winnebago eRV2. With the BrightDrop-based G2, Grounded increases the battery housing to 10 kWh. That’s still less than the competition, but a nice improvement. Grounded does not say that the size of the housing battery is customizable, so it is possible to get a larger battery.

Other features about the new G2 carry over from the G1. That includes including a dry flush toilet, outdoor shower, and 640 watts of solar power. Also like the G1, the electronics and appliances of the G2 can be controlled by a mobile app.

On the charging side, you’re looking at a maximum of 120-kW DC charging. That’s good for about 170 miles per hour of range. You can also charge the camper at home from a 240-volt outlet, which will give you a peak of 11.5-kW. One feature I like about Grounded vans is the fact that the house battery and traction battery are connected, so one can pass the charge to the other.

No More Cheaper Than the Competition

So, the big question that you probably have is what to go to BrightDrop Zevo 600 and give buyers what is the most common interior to do for the price? Grounded G2 lands for $195,000. Grounded says it is taking orders right now. The ordering process begins with a $100 refundable deposit. Then you get to design the original interior for your van. Grounded says shipping will begin this month.

Back at the Detroit Auto Show, I got to tour the G1 and was a little disappointed. Besides the 108 mile range, it was a problem that changing the interior could not be done by the end user and the quality left some to be desired. With the G2, Grounded fixes much of this.

Now you can go 250 km, you can change your interior, and at least in the picture, the change in the way the interior is made is good too. But, $195,000 is not a small price to pay for a nice camper. The base may no longer have a price advantage, but it looks like the startup managed to make an interesting unit.

(Images: Framed, unless otherwise noted.)

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