Workhorse intends to build the W-15 in its Union City, Indiana plant, a facility with the capacity to build 60,000 chassis a year. Subject to development, regulatory approval and financing, once production commences, Workhorse expects the W-15 to have a $52,500 MSRP.

The W-15 has been designed to reflect features and benefits that we believe fleets want today. The W-15’s safety features are expected to include an extra large crumple zone, and a lower center of gravity while still providing ground clearance.

The W-15 is also expected to offer crash mitigation technologies, including automatic braking and lane centering. Electric power will be supplied using Panasonic 18650 Li-on batteries. The truck’s battery pack is expected to deliver 80-mile all-electric range and to achieve 75 MPGe while in all-electric operation. The 80 mile range is designed to cover the majority of the miles driven in a day by fleets. If needed, the on-board gasoline generator will then operate after battery power has been depleted, extending the range. To reduce weight, the W-15’s body panels are made of a carbon fiber composite which also have the benefit of being rustproof.

The Workhorse W-15 light duty platform design is an extension of the E-Gen electric range extended technology used in Workhorse medium-duty delivery trucks. This existing medium-duty, delivery truck business has demonstrated low Total Cost of Ownership and dramatically reduced emissions.

The W-15 electric pickup drivable prototype will be unveiled at the ACT EXPO show in Long Beach, California on 2 May. Fleet managers are invited to attend the show and test drive the W-15 prototype.