Yahoo Autos GM Brings Electric BrightDrop Vans under the Chevrolet Brand
BrightDrop, General Motors' commercial EV brand, will now be absorbed by Chevrolet.
The electric vans will now be called the 2025 Chevy BrightDrop 400 and BrightDrop 600.
The vans have a maximum range of 272 miles and are offered with front- or all-wheel drive.
Chevrolet finally has a new van, and no, it's not a next-generation Express, despite the Express having been in production since the start of the Clinton Administration's second term. In fact, the new van isn't really new at all. Instead, General Motors is integrating BrightDrop, its commercial EV brand, which has been building vans since 2022, under the Chevrolet umbrella. The cargo carriers are now known as the 2025 Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 and BrightDrop 600, with the numeral suffix designating the vans' size.
GM says the move allows the BrightDrop EVs to capitalize on Chevy's "broad commercial vehicle sales and service dealer network." According to GM, all Chevy dealerships will be allowed to sell and service the vans as long as they meet certain requirements for selling commercial EVs. The BrightDrop vans will continue to be built at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.
The BrightDrop vans are offered in four configurations, either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and either the 400 or 600 body style. The BrightDrop 400 measures 238.6 inches long with a 153.1-inch wheelbase; the 600 model is 290.0 inches long with a 183.5-inch wheelbase. The extra distance gives the BrightDrop 600 a 615-cubic-foot cargo volume, while the 400's capacity is 412 cubic feet. The maximum available payload is 3480 pounds for the AWD 400 and 3130 pounds for the AWD 600. Both front-drive models are rated at 3350 pounds.
The vans utilize the Ultium battery platform, with GM estimating a maximum range of 272 miles for the AWD vans when fitted with the optional "Max Range" battery. GM also notes a "standard range" of 159 miles for the 400 and 164 miles for the 600, regardless of the drivetrain. On a DC fast-charger, the BrightDrop can replenish the battery at a rate of up to 120 kW, while on a Level 2 AC charger, the FWD van maxes out at 11.5 kW, and the AWD van is capable of up to 19.2 kW. The all-wheel-drive models use a pair of electric motors that produce 300 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, while the single-motor FWD vans produce 240 hp and 300 pound-feet.
Inside, drivers are greeted with a dashboard that looks vastly more modern than the cabin of an Express. An 11.3-inch center infotainment screen runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is supplemented by an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Other features include automatic climate control, a heated seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors. There is also a full suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, and lane-keep assist. GM hasn't provided details on pricing, but the BrightDrop vans are only available to fleet customers.
You Might Also Like
