Workhorse Group, an electric delivery and utility vehicles manufacturer, showcased the latest addition to its C-Series electric step vans, the C650, at The Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. The company also announced its new C1000 electric step van to the series.
The C650 offers 650 cu. ft. cargo space, a 144” wheelbase, and an overall length of 247”. The C1000 has cargo space of 1,000 cu. ft., a 190” wheelbase, and an overall length of 324”.
Both the C650 and C1000 feature a lightweight composite body, a modular battery pack, and a four-wheel independent suspension system. In addition, they also offer a telematics system developed by the company.
“From a fleet standpoint, it’s easy to maintain,” said Rob Willison, COO of Workhorse Group. “[The body] is all fiberglass composite, carbon fiber, and Kevlar front to back. There is no steel frame under, it’s all composite.”
The step vans come standard with a four pack battery configuration offering 70kWh. Depending on the customer’s energy requirements, two battery packs can be used. On a single charge, the range varies between 100 and 150 miles, subject to battery pack size.
“It gets almost 50 miles per gallon verses a typical diesel that gets about 8,” Willison says. “For a battery vehicle, the acquisition cost is a little higher, but if it lasts 25 or 30 years in the field then your yearly cost is less.”
The four-wheel independent suspension system includes rear air shocks, providing a smooth ride for the driver and the load. The suspension is also auto leveling, meaning that when loaded the vehicle doesn’t squat. It has a height gauge that keeps it even.
The Workhorse C-Series is designed with the company’s proprietary telematics system called Metron. This dashboard telematics system tracks data in real time, allowing drivers to check the status of components such as the battery, as well as fault codes, if there is a problem.
“Especially helpful if you’re out on the road,” Willison noted. “You don’t need to bring a laptop or anything; you simply pull [the information] up on the dashboard.”
The company also has their own app to help with inventory and ordering of parts. Every part has a QR code on it which, when scanned, brings the part up and checks the inventory. If the fleet needs to order the part, that can be done using the app.
“Your maintenance person doesn’t need to know the VIN or what year [the vehicle] is,” Willison said.
The C-Series electric step vans are currently in production and are designed for the last mile delivery sector.
