Merchants Fleet

No holiday for delivery firms as fuel prices remain elevated

Fuel prices hurting delivery firms

As fuel prices have surged in the U.S., last-mile delivery companies have been put in a precarious position. Some have tried to implement surcharges to cover the added costs, while others already had surcharges in place for this scenario. But with fuel prices doubling in some areas in less than two weeks’ time, even surcharges will take time to recoup some of that increase.

In the last week, Uber (NYSE: UBER) and Lyft (NASDAQ: LYFT) have announced surcharges, and DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) has...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/no-holiday-for-delivery-firms-as-fuel-prices-remain-elevated

Q&A: Merchants Fleet CEO on electrification, keys to fleet sustainability

Fleet management company Merchants Fleet made plenty of news in 2021, announcing agreements that gave it access to new capital, a series of electric vehicle (EV) reservations, and new fleet electrification tools to help its customers decide when and how to make the switch.

Founded in 1962 as a single automotive dealership in New Hampshire under the name Merchants Motors, Merchants Fleet has grown into one of the largest fleet management companies in North America. Modern Shipper spoke with CEO...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/qa-merchants-fleet-ceo-on-electrification-keys-to-fleet-sustainability

BrightDrop secures orders from FedEx Express, Walmart, as EV business accelerates

Electric van maker BrightDrop said that FedEx Express and Walmart have placed orders for a total of 7,000 vehicles, with the FedEx order potentially expanding to include an additional 20,000 units pending the successful conclusion of ongoing negotiations.

The announcement was made Wednesday by General Motors CEO Mary Barra during her CES keynote address. BrightDrop is a GM (NYSE: GM) subsidiary. In a Tuesday press briefing prior to the announcement, FedEx’s Richard Smith, regional president of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/brightdrop-secures-orders-from-fedex-express-walmart-as-ev-business-accelerates

BrightDrop delivers first electric vans to FedEx Express

BrightDrop has delivered the first five EV600 electric delivery vans to FedEx Express as the first step in an order that could result in 500 vans operating within the FedEx fleet.

The initial vehicles will be put into operation in a FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) facility in Inglewood, California. FedEx is building electric vehicle charging infrastructure across its network, including 500 stations that have already been installed in California.

“The delivery of the first BrightDrop EV600s is a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/brightdrop-delivers-first-electric-vans-to-fedex-express

Merchants Fleet’s $2B EV makeover continues with order for Xos step vans

Merchants Fleet to buy Xos electric step vans

Merchants Fleet, which has already announced its intention to purchase nearly 18,000 electric vehicles from BrightDrop, is now adding EV step vans from Xos. The fleet management company announced it will order an undisclosed number of vans from the company, with the first 10 delivered in 2022.

“Merchants is eager to partner with emerging OEMs like Xos, who are innovating and making a significant impact in the industry,” said Hari Nayar, Merchants’ fleet director of electrification and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/merchants-fleets-2b-ev-makeover-continues-with-order-for-xos-step-vans

Merchants Fleet introduces online fleet electrification tools

Merchants Fleet is making real investments in electric vehicles, having announced intentions to purchase nearly 18,000 EV vans from BrightDrop over the next few years, and is now expanding its electric vehicle capabilities with management planning tools for fleets.

The fleet management company has launched Electrify Fleet Hub, an online resource with centralized information for fleets looking to make the switch to electric vehicles. The site includes an EV finder that helps users locate current...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/merchants-fleet-introduces-online-fleet-electrification-tools

Merchants Fleet expands EV order, adds 5,400 BrightDrop EV410 models

Merchants Fleet to buy BrightDrop EV410 electric vans

BrightDrop’s smaller electric van, the EV410, received a nice welcome when it was unveiled in September, with Verizon announcing it would be the first company to place an order for the vehicle.

Now you can add Merchants Fleet as the second major customer announcement. The fleet management company said Thursday morning it intends to purchase 5,400 EV410s, joining a previous order for 12,500 of the EV600, announced in February, with delivery of those beginning in early 2023. There was no delivery...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/merchants-fleet-expands-ev-order-adds-5400-brightdrop-ev410-models

Merchants Fleet orders 12,600 GM BrightDrop electric vans

BrightDrop, the new General Motors (NYSE: GM) subsidiary creating an ecosystem of electric light commercial delivery vans and connected pallets, will sell 12,600 of its EV600 vans to Merchants Fleet.

Merchants Fleet describes itself as the nation’s fast-growing fleet management company. It will take delivery of the vans beginning in early 2023. BrightDrop’s first customer, FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX), will receive the first of 500 vans it has ordered by the end of this year.

“Merchants Fleet is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/merchants-fleet-orders-12600-gm-brightdrop-electric-vans