Workhorse W56 Gets Follow-On Order for 200 Electric Vans

Gateway Fleets Orders 200 Workhorse W56 Step Vans

On September 30, Workhorse Group Inc. announced that Gateway Fleets has placed a follow-on purchase order for 200 Workhorse W56 fully electric step vans. The vehicles are scheduled for deployment beginning in the second half of 2027 and continuing through 2028. Gateway Fleets, a California-based provider of turnkey electric vehicle and charging solutions for commercial delivery operators, plans to purchase the vehicles through California truck dealer Kingsburg Truck Center. The company intends to lease the vans to its customers, which primarily include independent last-mile package delivery providers. The order expands Gateway's planned use of Workhorse's electric commercial vehicle platform for delivery operations.

Gateway Combines Electric Trucks With Fleet Support

Gateway Fleets is structured to provide more than the electric vehicles themselves, combining the W56 step vans with charging infrastructure, fleet support, and depot access. Its offering is designed to simplify electric fleet operations for commercial delivery customers through flexible financing arrangements. Under the latest purchase order, Gateway will acquire the vehicles through Kingsburg Truck Center and lease them to operators serving last-mile delivery routes. This approach gives delivery providers access to electric trucks while also incorporating the infrastructure and operational support required to deploy them. The arrangement therefore connects vehicle procurement, charging, financing, and fleet services within a single operating model.

Workhorse W56 Specifications Support Last-Mile Delivery

The W56 step vans available through Gateway use Standard Wheelbase configurations measuring 178 inches and are equipped with a 210 kWh battery. The vehicles provide 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space, a payload capacity of 10,000 pounds, and a nominal range of 150 miles per charge. The W56 also uses a fully integrated, purpose-built composite body and an ergonomic driver environment. Its platform is engineered for high-cycle last-mile delivery, aligning its configuration with the repeated daily operating requirements of commercial package distribution. These specifications define the vehicle's intended operating profile while supporting the cargo capacity and payload requirements associated with delivery fleets.

Workhorse Manufacturing and Company Capabilities

Workhorse Group is headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, and specializes in electrification, high-voltage systems integration, mobility platforms, ruggedized mobile platform manufacturing, distributed energy systems, and deployable industrial infrastructure. All W56 models are produced at Workhorse's manufacturing plant in Union City, Indiana. The company has delivered more than 1,100 vehicles to date, providing the production and delivery background behind the latest Gateway Fleets order. Continued W56 production at the Indiana facility will support the vehicles associated with the new purchase order as deployments move forward from the second half of 2027 through 2028.

Gateway's Delivery Fleet Deployment Plans

The 200-vehicle order is intended primarily for Gateway Fleets customers operating independent last-mile package delivery businesses. Vehicle deployments are expected to begin in the second half of 2027 and continue through 2028, establishing a multi-year delivery schedule rather than a single deployment period. Gateway's leasing approach is paired with charging infrastructure, fleet support, and depot access, allowing participating operators to adopt the electric step vans within a broader fleet-services framework. The planned deployment also extends the relationship between Gateway and Workhorse beyond the initial vehicle procurement by connecting the W56 platform with the operational infrastructure needed for commercial electric delivery use.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The order highlights the continued importance of integrated vehicle-and-infrastructure solutions for commercial fleet electrification, particularly in last-mile delivery where charging access, financing, payload capacity, and daily vehicle utilization must work together. For Workhorse, the purchase order provides a defined future deployment pipeline for W56 step vans, while Gateway's leasing model gives independent delivery operators a structured path toward electric fleet adoption. The most relevant next steps are vehicle production and deployment beginning in the second half of 2027, followed by continued deliveries through 2028. The development matters because fleet operators can evaluate electrification through a combined vehicle, charging, support, and financing model rather than vehicle acquisition alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Workhorse W56 step vans did Gateway Fleets order?
Gateway Fleets placed a follow-on purchase order for 200 fully electric Workhorse W56 step vans through Kingsburg Truck Center. The vehicles are planned for deployment beginning in the second half of 2027 and continuing through 2028. Gateway intends to lease the vans to customers that primarily operate independent last-mile package delivery businesses. The W56 configurations offered through Gateway feature a 210 kWh battery, 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space, a 10,000-pound payload, and a nominal range of 150 miles per charge.