General Motors’ commercial delivery and logistics decarbonization-focused subsidiary BrightDrop announced orders for thousands of electric delivery vans from Walmart and FedEx, supporting the companies’ efforts to reduce the emissions footprint of their delivery networks.
The agreements, announced at CES 2022, mark Walmart’s inaugural BrightDrop order, with a reservation of 5,000 of the company’s EV600 and smaller EV410 electric delivery vans, and a significant expansion of FedEx’s initial reservation of 500 EVs last year with an additional 2,000 units. Additionally, GM stated that FedEx is working on a plan to add up to 20,000 more in the upcoming years.
BrightDrop President and CEO Travis Katz, said:
“BrightDrop’s mission is to decarbonize the world’s deliveries. We leverage the best of two worlds – the innovation, agility, and focus of a technology startup with the engineering and manufacturing might of General Motors. This combination, coupled with BrightDrop’s holistic solution set, gives us powerful advantages that uniquely position us to support the world’s largest delivery companies, like Walmart and FedEx, with their robust sustainability goals. Today’s commitments showcase our ability to power the electrification journey of some of the world’s biggest companies.”
Walmart and FedEx have each recently unveiled commitments to electrify and decarbonize their delivery networks. Walmart has committed to reach zero emissions across its global operations by 2040, through initiatives that include electrifying and zeroing out emissions from all of its vehicles, powering facilities with 100% renewable energy, and transitioning to low-impact refrigerants for cooling and electrified equipment for heating in its stores, clubs, and data and distribution centers. Last year, FedEx also announced a 2040 target to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations, designating billions of dollars of investments targeting areas including vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, and carbon sequestration.
Tom Ward, Senior Vice President of last mile, Walmart U.S., said:
“As important as it is that we save our customers time and money through convenient delivery options, it’s just as important that we focus on creating a more sustainable last mile delivery fleet that avoids emissions. BrightDrop’s proven ability to bring a sustainable electric van to market makes them a great partner to support our growing InHome delivery service, and we look forward to continue driving our goal of operating a 100 percent zero-emissions logistics fleet by 2040.”
FedEx Express Regional President of the Americas and EVP Richard Smith added;
“FedEx remains full speed ahead in taking the next steps to electrify our pickup and delivery vehicle fleet, which is a critical component in our ambitious goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. With the collaboration and innovative technology of companies like GM and BrightDrop, we will continue to meet the world’s increasing transportation needs in more environmentally sustainable ways for our customers, shareholders and communities.”
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