First Fully Drive-by-Wire Walk-in Van Enters Customer Evaluations in Summer 2022

The Class 5 vehicle debuts the EAVX body design powered by REE’s modular P7 platform and is the first fully drive-by-wire walk-in van on the market.

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REE Automotive

EAVX, a subsidiary of JB Poindexter & Co. (JBPCO), and REE Automotive, an automotive technology provider of electric vehicle (EV) platforms, announced the companies’ new, fully electric walk-in step van prototype. The prototype will enter customer evaluation this summer.

The Class 5 vehicle debuts the EAVX body design powered by REE’s modular P7 platform. It is the first fully drive-by-wire walk-in van on the market.

“This is an excellent confirmation for EAVX’s unprecedented offering to accelerate commercial vehicle electrification for existing and new customers,” said John Poindexter, CEO and chairman, JBPCO. “Our new body, designed to fit all chassis and to be the next-generation walk-in step van, leverages JBPCO’s proven history of building durable and dependable work truck and commercial vehicle bodies and accessories. We are thrilled with our partnership with REE and for this first prototype to be put on a REE modular chassis, creating the first EV with the company’s innovative REEcorner technology. Together we can help enable the design and manufacture the commercial electric fleets of all sizes and across markets.”

Evaluations

Evaluations of the new electric walk-in step van will take place during several weeks in the Detroit metropolitan area. The prebooked event will allow pipeline customers across retail, delivery and logistics segments to:

  • Experience the vehicle
  • See its technology first-hand
  • Secure production capacity on the path to 2023 deliveries

“EAVX and REE are delivering on our joint promise from last year and at record pace. The on-road testing of our Class 5 walk-in van is a testament to the strength and progress of our EAVX partnership,” said Daniel Barel, cofounder and CEO of REE. “We are excited for customers to experience first-hand the unique benefits of the first x-by-wire vehicle built with a best-in-class Morgan Olson body and Powered by REE, a clear step toward firm orders.”Ree EavxREE Automotive

The P7 Platform

The walk-in step van body is a new, ground-up development and will be showcased for the first time on the REE P7 platform, which was unveiled in January 2022. The platform is intended to power Class 3 through Class 5 vehicles with payloads up to 8,800 pounds and a range of 370 miles. These vehicles also have all-wheel steering, all-wheel drive and autonomous-ready capabilities.

The van is designed to provide user benefits, efficiencies and flexibility that can be scaled across further applications and classes with the modularity and design capabilities enabled by REEcorner technology.

The Future of EV and AV

The road testing demonstrates the maturity of the REE-EAVX modular walk-in step van program for the North American delivery market, first announced in July 2021. The prototype body, which will have more details unveiled soon, advances EAVX’s mission to develop the future of EV- and AV-powered delivery and work truck bodies and accessories as a business unit of JBPCO.        

For more information, see the REE press release.

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