GM integrates EV startup BrightDrop into its CV business for seamless fleet adoption

Commercial EV startup BrightDrop, born out of GM Innovation Labs in January 2021, has now been announced as part of GM, focusing on advanced connectivity and the group’s mobility and commercial fleet initiatives. The company believes that this move will benefit its fleet customers by providing them with a better single point of contact through ‘GM Envolve’.

Being a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, it allowed BrightDrop to work with the agility and innovation of the technology startup and benefit from GM’s deep manufacturing expertise. The startup has produced a product portfolio that helps customers like FedEx, Ryder and DHL decarbonize their shipping operations and a team that brought an electric delivery vehicle to market in record time.

As BrightDrop matures, GM now wants to make it more efficient to support its efforts for commercial customers. It remains committed to increasing production of the BrightDrop Zevo, the company’s electrification vehicle, which is expected to resume in the summer of 2024.

From now on, the BrightDrop electric vans – Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 – will be part of GM Envolve’s commercial fleet offerings. Additionally, GM is bringing together all digital business solutions, including BrightDrop Core, into GM’s software and services organization.

GM says BrightDrop will be supported by the launch of a new Canadian-based CAMI battery module plant. This new battery module line will be able to fully support Zevo production at CAMI and increase EV production at other GM plants, notes the automaker.