Workhorse Group lifted the curtain on its all-electric W56 Class 5-6 step van, a new zero-emissions vehicle that features a customized chassis and an ergonomically designed driver’s cab area.

The W56 was rolled out at a March 8 press conference at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. First deliveries of the new truck are slated for late this year.

“The W56 marks the first official vehicle designed and produced under our revamped team and is the culmination of many hours of hard work combined with process enhancements implemented over the past 18 months,” said Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch.

“This vehicle incorporates the extensive on-road learnings of our legacy vehicles and improves upon those models with a new custom-designed chassis, demonstrating the caliber of trucks that we will produce for years to come,” he continued.

Dauch said that with Workhorse’s “transition from a technology startup to a pioneering commercial EV OEM,” the company is looking forward to starting production and making initial deliveries later this year. He noted that the W56 has completed piloting package deliveries by working with UPS.

He emphasized the development work that has gone into the W56, pointing out that along with leveraging existing Workhorse designs, 9 million plus miles of service time on the road helped inform the engineering of the new battery-electric truck.

It will be offered in various configurations tailored to meet work truck applications.

E-Axle Power

The W56’s custom-designed chassis is fitted with an e-axle that Workhorse said provides higher driveline efficiency and reduced maintenance. Battery voltage is 718-725v and connectors support Level 2 AC (20kW) and Level 3 AC/Dc (100kW) charging.

The Class 5-6 vehicle supports what Workhorse calls “benchmark payload capacity” of up to approximately 10,000 pounds while delivering a single-charge range of up to 150 miles. The W56 also offers a large cargo box of over 1,000 cubic feet. The truck’s Class 6 GVW rating is 23,000 pounds.

The van also features lowered step-in and a wide cabin door for easier entry and exit. Built with the delivery driver in mind, the cabin has been ergonomically designed while still providing safety and comfort during even the longest shifts, according to the company.

Earlier this year, Workhorse announced it was discontinuing its all-electric C-1000 delivery vehicles so it could focus its resources on advancing its product roadmap for the W4 CC, W750, and W56 vehicles. Read more from HDT sister brand Work Truck Magazine.