How Xos Electric Vehicles Deliver Heavy Payloads for Last-Mile Delivery
When it comes to last-mile delivery, payload capacity is critical. Many fleets rely on medium-duty strip chassis vehicles to meet their delivery needs, balancing payload, range, and overall efficiency. At Xos, we’ve developed electric vehicles (EVs) that deliver near payload parity with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles while providing all the benefits of zero-emissions transportation.
Understanding Strip Chassis Payload Capacity
When we talk about strip chassis vehicles, these typically weigh between 10,000 and 13,000 pounds, which includes the full weight of the chassis, powertrain, and body. These vehicles are commonly rated for gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) of up to 19,000 pounds or even 26,000 pounds, meaning they fall into Class 5 or Class 6 categories in the U.S. With these weight ratings, traditional ICE strip chassis vehicles can carry payloads ranging from 6,000 pounds to as high as 13,000 pounds depending on their configuration and application.
Xos's electric strip chassis vehicles weigh between 12,500 and 15,000 pounds, making our payload capacity comparable to ICE vehicles in the same class. For example, in our highest capacity and longest-range step van built for parcel delivery, Xos vehicles can deliver a payload of over 9,500 pounds, which is on par with industry-standard ICE step vans.
Payload Sensitivity in Last-Mile Delivery Applications
Last-mile delivery applications are typically volume-sensitive rather than weight-sensitive. This means fleets prioritize cubic capacity to carry large but light packages rather than focusing on heavy payloads. However, this isn’t always the case. Several applications require higher payload capacities, including:
Uniform and Linen Rental Fleets
Uniform and linen rental fleets often require heavy payload capacity because they pick up and deliver soiled linens, which are significantly heavier when wet. These fleets often operate near the Class 6 weight limit and require the full payload capacity offered by medium-duty vehicles. Xos’s current long-range battery offerings allow these fleets to carry similar payloads as their existing ICE vehicles, making the transition to EVs seamless.
Armored and Cash Transit Vehicles
Cash and transit fleets have additional payload requirements due to the 3,000 to 6,000 pounds of extra outfitting required for vehicle armoring. Even with these added weights, Xos vehicles can provide over 6,000 pounds of usable payload capacity, enabling these fleets to carry heavy commodities such as coins and cash while maintaining safety and zero-emission compliance.
Xos Armored Trucks with over 6000 lbs of payload capacity
Maintaining Payload Capacity with Zero Emissions
For most customers transitioning to EVs, payload capacity is a key concern. With Xos’s medium-duty EV offerings, customers typically retain 80 to 90 percent of the payload capacity of their ICE vehicles. In some configurations, especially our shorter-range 100-mile vehicles, the payload capacity matches ICE vehicles exactly.
This is a sharp contrast to many Class 2 electric cargo vans currently on the market. These vans often have curb weights ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 pounds and GVWRs around 10,000 pounds, leaving them with a payload capacity of less than 1,000 pounds. Additionally, these lighter-duty EVs usually offer shorter ranges of 60 to 120 miles, limiting their applicability for many last-mile delivery fleets. In contrast, Xos’s medium-duty EVs offer ranges between 100 and 200 miles, providing both greater payload capacity and extended operational flexibility for fleet customers.
How Xos Achieves Near Payload Parity
Achieving near payload parity with ICE vehicles isn’t accidental—it’s the result of careful design and engineering. Xos has focused on several key areas to optimize payload capacity:
Optimized Powertrain Design: Our proprietary electric powertrain is designed for efficiency, reducing unnecessary bulk and minimizing weight without sacrificing durability or performance.
Lightweighting Solutions: We’ve incorporated innovative lightweighting strategies, such as using advanced materials and optimized high-voltage cabling layouts, to reduce vehicle weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Bracketry and Cabling Minimization: By reducing excess bracketry and high-voltage cabling, we’ve further lowered the overall curb weight of our vehicles. These changes allow us to offer payload capacities competitive with traditional ICE vehicles, giving customers the confidence to switch to electric without sacrificing operational capability.
Payload Without Compromise
As fleets transition to zero-emissions vehicles, maintaining payload capacity is critical to ensure operational efficiency and profitability. Xos delivers on this need by providing medium-duty electric vehicles that offer payload capacities comparable to traditional ICE vehicles. Whether it’s parcel delivery, linen rental, or armored cash transit, Xos’s electric strip chassis vehicles meet the demands of last-mile delivery without compromising on range or payload.
With thoughtful powertrain design, advanced lightweighting solutions, and a focus on customer needs, Xos is leading the way in providing sustainable, high-capacity solutions for commercial fleets. As the industry continues to shift towards electric, Xos remains committed to ensuring that our customers never have to choose between payload and performance.
