Workhorse W56 EV Completes 2,400-Mile Cross-Country Drive to ACT Expo
The drive demonstrated the real-world performance & efficiency of the all-electric step van from Workhorse…
Workhorse Group Inc., an American technology company focused on the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, announced the successful completion of a 2,400-mile drive from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Anaheim, California, in its W56 electric step van. The vehicle, which demonstrated its real-world capability across nine states and multiple charging networks, is available for test drives at ACT Expo, taking place now through May 1.
Workhorse says the 2,400-mile cross-country journey generated operational data that matters to fleet managers: The W56 delivered consistent performance through challenging weather conditions and terrain, achieving 27 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) at highway speeds—nearly three times the efficiency of comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) step vans—and averaging 53% lower fuel costs compared to ICE. When combined with 40% lower scheduled maintenance costs over five years, the W56 delivers total cost of ownership advantages that are immediately visible in the bottom line, noted company officials in a press release.
“We drive our trucks everywhere, without hesitation. This cross-country drive proves that medium-duty EV adoption doesn’t require compromising operational reliability,” said Ryan Gaul, president of commercial vehicles at Workhorse. “We’re demonstrating a practical path to electrification that meets both sustainability targets and the bottom-line requirements of last-mile fleets.”
The Workhorse We Drove It Here Campaign
The company says the drive is part of a series of real-world tests to demonstrate the readiness of its vehicles for commercial deployment. The We Drove It Here campaign began in October 2024 with a 1,000-mile trip from Cincinnati to Orlando for the FedEx Forward Service Provider Summit. In addition, the W56 208″ extended wheelbase model was driven 150 miles from Cincinnati to Indianapolis for the Ride & Drive at Work Truck Week.
This year at ACT Expo, fleet managers and other attendees can test drive the W56 that completed the journey in the Ride & Drive experience. Additionally, at Workhorse’s booth, visitors will see a 100% electric W4 CC upfitted with a CTEC 144 Series utility body, driven to ACT Expo from central California by Kingsburg Truck Center, a certified Workhorse dealer recently awarded a California Department of General Services contract to supply medium-duty electric work trucks to government entities across the state. The custom utility body is purpose-built for Workhorse’s Class 4 cab chassis with a 110” cab-to-axle configuration and dual rear wheels.
“We’re here to have practical conversations about making the EV transition work financially,” said Wes Lowe, owner of Kingsburg Truck Center. “We understand the combination of state HVIP funding, federal incentives, and infrastructure requirements that fleet managers need to navigate. When they test-drive a Workhorse, they’ll experience a purpose-built work truck that delivers both operational reliability and compliance with the regulatory landscape—no compromises necessary.”
The Workhorse W56 is a 100% electric, Class 5 & 6 step van specifically designed to meet last-mile delivery requirements with up to 150 miles of real-world range and cargo capacities of 1,000 or 1,200 cubic feet, noted the press release. The W4 CC electric cab chassis provides vocational fleets with an adaptable platform for multiple upfit configurations. Both vehicles meet federal and state incentive program requirements while delivering immediate operational cost reductions. The W56 and W750 (built on the W4 CC platform) are also approved for sale in Canada.
