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

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.

They have a partnership with UPS to test the system:

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Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek. He sometimes contributes to DroneDJ.

You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com