GreenPower to supply Workhorse delivery vehicles

The GreenPower V Star cab and chassis. (Photo: GreenPower)

Workhorse Group Inc., an American company focused on the last-mile delivery sector, and GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission electric-powered vehicles serving the cargo and delivery, shuttle, transit and school bus markets, has announced a multi-year supply agreement to facilitate the manufacturing and delivery of medium-duty Class 4 step vans into the North American market.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies have confirmed a 21-month schedule during which GreenPower will deliver 1500 EV Star cab and chassis to Workhorse starting in July 2022. The chassis are to be used in the production of Workhorse’s new Class 4 W750 step van line, which is slated to enter production in Q3 2022.

Workhorse will complete the manufacturing process and deliver finished step vans to its customers in the United States and Canada. The agreement includes deposits based on delivery thresholds and also contains a renewal option.

Workhorse will have exclusive rights in the U.S. and Canada to sell Class 4 step vans based on the GreenPower-supplied base vehicle. The finished Class 4 step vans will be available under the Workhorse brand with Workhorse after-sales and support service.

The W750 will feature up to 150 miles of all-electric range, with a payload capacity of 5000 lb., as well as standard 60 kW dc fast-charging and optional 60 kW wireless-charging capabilities.

“Workhorse is delivering on our commitment to pioneer the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles by developing and building safe, reliable and versatile electric commercial delivery vehicles,” said Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch. “Our partnership with GreenPower is a crucial step in a multi-pronged effort to redefine our product portfolio. The Class 4 W750, alongside our legacy Class 3 C-1000 and W56 platform launching in 2023, will enable Workhorse to address the entire Class 3 through 6 commercial vehicle market. I am very pleased to have reached this important agreement, and we look forward to working closely with the GreenPower team to make the first truck deliveries from our Union City, Ind., plant later this year.”

GreenPower said it employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose-built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. It was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has operational facilities in southern California.

“We are honored to partner with Workhorse to bring their Class 4 step van to market leveraging GreenPower’s EV Star cab and chassis platform,” said GreenPower CEO Fraser Atkinson. “Our technically advanced and proven EV Star line of vehicles that will underpin the new Workhorse vehicle also support our all-electric medium-duty paratransit, micro-transit, executive shuttle, vanpool, and cargo delivery vehicles. Given our depth of experience we are confident in our ability to meet and exceed Workhorse customer requirements and expectations.”

“We have been collaborating with Workhorse on this project for over six months and have already delivered several EV Star cab and chassis base vehicles to Workhorse,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “We look forward to ramping our activities on the co-development and integration of our vehicle with the Workhorse W750. We have been working with our partners to ensure the production and timely delivery of the vehicles pursuant to the initial delivery schedule as well as to support additional growth opportunities.”

In January, GreenPower Motor Company entered into a lease/purchase agreement for a manufacturing facility in South Charleston, W.V., for the purpose of building all-electric school buses. As part of the agreement, the state of West Virginia has committed to purchase a minimum of $15 million of GreenPower vehicles produced at the facility.

GreenPower said plans to begin manufacturing school buses in the facility by the second half of 2022.