Workhorse unveils new electric van with drone for the last-mile delivery

Fred Lambert | Nov 8 2017 - 8:58 am PT

Loveland, Ohio-based truck maker Workhorse, probably better known within the EV community for its plug-in electric W-15 pickup truck, is unveiling a new electric van today.

The vehicle is the company’s latest iteration of its concept geared toward delivery with its integrated drone for last-mile drop off of packages.

Workhorse says that the new N-Gen electric van has a range of 100 miles (160 km) on a single charge, which should be enough for most delivery routes, and they can add a 75-mile (120 km) gas range extender.

Stephen Burns, CEO of Workhorse. said about the new van:

“The new N-Gen platform represents a new day for last-mile delivery. With agreements now in place to test and operate N-Gen vehicles in several cities across the United States, Workhorse continues to be on the front edge of transformative innovation in the commercial transportation sector.”

Like the Workhorse W-15 electric pickup truck, the company is aiming for the commercial fleet market with the N-Gen.

The company revealed a few specs about their latest model:

“The N-Gen’s ultra low 19-inch floor and 105-inch roof height maximize cargo space, reduce knee injuries and enhance driver ease of operation. Standard van options include all-wheel drive, automatic braking and lane centering, a best-in-class 26-foot turning radius and superior handling for maximum versatility. The built-in Workhorse Metron telematics system tracks in real time all van and drone parameters to optimize performance and efficiency.”

They are also planning additional configurations for telecomm service/municipal use and bigger versions as well as with 700-cubic-foot and 1,000-cubic-foot models. Those are expected to enter production in late 2018.

The van is also made to work with the “optional integrated HorseFly”, which is a drone that Workhorse use as unmanned aerial vehicle package delivery system.

It’s a super efficient octocopter drone made of carbon-fiber. It can launch from Workhorse’s vehicles and lift packages weighing up to 10 lbs and deliver them to a destination within the driver’s line of sight.