2026 Chevrolet BrightDrop

Overview Several automakers are now building electric cargo vans for the commercial vehicle segment, and Chevrolet is one of them. Its 2026 Chevrolet BrightDrop is offered in a variety of packages to allow for easy tailoring to the needs of businesses. Both standard and long-wheelbase styles are available, the latter offering cavernous cargo space behind its front seats. Front- and all-wheel drive electric powertrains are juiced by your choice of three different-sized battery packs, the largest of which offers up to 286 miles of driving per charge. A pair of digital dashboard screens provide access to connectivity features for the driver while vehicle telematics through GM’s OnStar service offers real-time data for fleet managers for keeping track of vehicle location, recharging data, and expense management. The BrightDrop faces off against a host of similar wheeled boxes, including the Ford E-Transit, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, Ram ProMaster EV, and Rivian RCV.What’s New for 2026?A new Extended Range battery pack joins the options sheet this year, offering up to 204 miles of range per charge. Standard and Max battery models continue to be available. All models now come with a 19.2-kW high-voltage onboard charger for quicker juice-ups. A new power offboarding feature is now optional, which allows electricity from the battery to be used to power an AC outlet, but opting for that requires downgrading to a slower 11.5 kW onboard charger. Front-wheel drive models now come with a 75-mph electronic speed governor and buyers can no longer order black-painted driver and passenger doors.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Chevrolet Brightdrop is expected to start around $79,000 and go up to $91,000 depending on the trim and options.400$79,000 (est)600$81,000 (est)400 Extended Range$84,000 (est)600 Extended Range$86,000 (est)400 Max Range$90,000 (est)600 Max Range$91,000 (est)The BrightDrop is offered in short-wheelbase 400 and long-wheelbase 600 body styles. Larger Extended and Max Range battery packs and an optional all-wheel-drive powertrain are also available. We think springing for the largest battery to unlock maximum range is a smart move, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide which wheelbase works best for your business.Getting Started with EVsEV Motor, Power, and PerformanceThe base powertrain in the BrightDrop is a front-wheel-drive single-motor setup that makes 240 horsepower, but an all-wheel-drive variant with two electric motors is available and bumps power to a combined 300 ponies. The latter setup gives the BrightDrop an advantage over the E-Transit, which is offered solely with a rear-wheel-drive, single-motor powertrain. When we get a chance to test drive the BrightDrop, we’ll update this story with our driving impressions and test results.More on the BrightDrop VanTowing and Payload Capacity The BrightDrop model with the highest payload rating is the front-wheel-drive 400, which is rated to haul up to 3710 pounds of cargo. All-wheel-drive 400s can tote up to 3480 pounds, front-wheel-drive 600 models can haul up to 3350 pounds, and the all-wheel-drive 600 model is rated for up to 3130 pounds.Range, Charging, and Battery LifeAccording to Chevrolet, the standard battery pack provides up to 180 miles of driving per charge in the 600 model and 178 miles per charge in the 400 model. A middle-ground Extended Range battery is available on front- and all-wheel drive versions and offers up to 204 miles of range per charge. The optional Max Range battery pack is available only on all-wheel-drive models and unlocks a maximum claimed driving range of 286 miles per charge.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGeFull-size vans such as the BrightDrop are exempt from federal fuel-economy standards. As a result, this van hasn’t been tested by the EPA, and Chevy hasn’t made its fuel-economy figures available.Interior, Comfort, and CargoWhile technically a two-seater, the BrightDrop’s second seat is a fold-down jump seat on the passenger’s side. The van is intended to be driven by a single employee, and the wide-opening side door makes popping in and out for deliveries easier than the front-hinged doors on the ancient, gas-powered Chevy Express van. The long-wheelbase 600 model offers the most interior space at 615 cubic feet, but the shorter 400 still has plenty of space inside with a maximum of 412 cubic feet of storage.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityAll BrightDrop models come with an 11.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and a separate 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. There aren’t a lot of other frills in this commercial van’s tech stack, but GM’s OnStar telematics service can be activated and provides fleet-oriented data solutions, including geofencing alerts, charging data, remote access, and expense management.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesThe BrightDrop comes standard with a suite of driver-assistance features that includes automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlamps. For more information about the BrightDrop’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Standard front and rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance CoverageChevrolet provides standard coverage limits for the BrightDrop’s electric powertrain components that are similar to its rivals. Like other Chevrolets, the BrightDrop’s first maintenance visit is covered free of charge.