BrightDrop Fades Out: What's Next for Retail EV Fleets?
A Walmart operated Brightdrop electric van
By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team
General Motors has officially shut down production of its BrightDrop electric vans, marking a swift and sobering end to what was once hailed as a cornerstone of commercial EV adoption. The CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario - in 2022 to build BrightDrop vehicles - will no longer produce the vans, and GM has confirmed it will not relocate production elsewhere.
The decision follows months of suspended operations, weak demand, and a glut of unsold inventory. Only 274 BrightDrop vans were sold in Q1 2025, and hundreds reportedly remain parked on dealer lots across North America. While GM hasn't released a precise count of active BrightDrop vans in service, estimates suggest fewer than 2,000 are currently deployed?far short of the 5,000-unit reservation Walmart once announced.
Retailers Left in the Lurch
Major retailers like Walmart and Target had begun integrating BrightDrop vans into their last-mile delivery fleets. Walmart piloted 400 units across seven cities, while Target launched a 50-van program in Dallas?Fort Worth through Circuit EV Solutions and Frontdoor Collective. With GM pulling the plug, these companies now face a choice: pivot or pause.
Viable Replacements
| Brand | Model | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | E-Transit | In production | Widely deployed; used by USPS and Amazon. Multiple configurations. |
| Rivian | RCV (500/700) | Open to fleets | Formerly exclusive to Amazon; now available to all commercial buyers. |
| Mercedes | eSprinter | U.S.-built | Produced in South Carolina; qualifies for domestic fleet incentives. |
What Went Wrong?
BrightDrop launched in 2021 with high hopes and high-profile deals. But the commercial EV market developed slower than expected, and regulatory shifts?especially the rollback of U.S. tax credits?undermined its business case. GM CEO Mary Barra cited "changing regulatory frameworks" and "challenging fleet incentives" as key factors in the decision.
What' s Next for CAMI?
GM says it will reassess the CAMI plant for future opportunities, but no new vehicle program has been announced. The closure is a blow to Canada' s EV manufacturing ambitions and leaves GM without a dedicated electric van offering in North America.
Final Take
BrightDrop' s demise is a cautionary tale about timing, policy, and market fit. But the need for clean, scalable delivery solutions hasn' t gone away. Retailers like Walmart and Target will pivot?and the next wave of electric vans is already waiting in the wings.
Sources:
Reuters: GM shuts down BrightDrop production
Electrek: Target launches BrightDrop pilot
Rivian: Commercial Van Program
Ford: E-Transit Overview
Mercedes-Benz: eSprinter Details
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