Workhorse Group announced a new 140 kWh battery option for its W56 all-electric step van. The model targets in-city, last-mile delivery fleets with an estimated 100-mile range at full payload. Pricing starts at $169,000, including a fully integrated composite body. The company said the configuration responds directly to fleet operator feedback requesting a smaller battery at a lower price point.
Highlights
- New 140 kWh battery option: The W56 step van now comes in a lower-cost configuration with an estimated 100-mile range at full payload, starting at $169,000.
- Two wheelbases available: The Standard 178″ wheelbase offers 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space and 11,000 lbs. payload. The Extended 208″ wheelbase offers 1,000 cubic feet and 10,000 lbs. payload.
- Merger-driven cost reductions: Workhorse attributed the new pricing to early synergies from its December 2025 merger with Motiv Electric Trucks.
- Fuel-cost hedge positioning: The launch coincides with oil prices recently exceeding $100 per barrel amid Middle East disruptions.
Specs and Pricing
The 140 kWh W56 shares its platform with the existing 210 kWh model. Both versions are produced entirely on-site at Workhorse’s Union City, Indiana, facility. According to the company, in-house production gives it greater control over costs and delivery timelines.
The Standard Wheelbase (178″) provides 1,000 cubic feet of cargo volume and an 11,000 lb. payload capacity. The Extended Wheelbase (208″) maintains the same cargo volume at 1,000 cubic feet but carries a 10,000 lb. payload. Workhorse said the extended option adds stability for larger loads.
“The new 140 kWh version of our W56 step van is a result of listening to customer feedback and purpose-building a product to meet their needs,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Workhorse. “We’ve been able to balance the functional needs of fleets – range, durability, reliability and performance – with a lower entry price to offer a ‘no-compromise’ electric truck.”
Fleet Operator Demand
Workhorse said fleet operators — including independent service providers (ISPs) running FedEx Ground routes — consistently reported that 100 miles of daily range exceeds their needs on many routes. As a result, those operators requested a smaller battery pack at a reduced price to improve the electrification business case.
The company also operates Stables by Workhorse, its own ISP running FedEx Ground routes. Fleets can now mix 140 kWh and 210 kWh W56 configurations to match shorter and longer routes within the same operation.
Oil Prices and the Fuel-Cost Argument
The announcement arrives as oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel following geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East. Analysts at Goldman Sachs have warned that triple-digit oil could persist for years. For many fleets, fuel ranks as the second-largest operating expense behind vehicle cost and depreciation.
“Commercial ground fleets have similar exposure to spikes in fuel prices as airlines, and the launch of this new model offers fleets a no-compromise option to control costs while still ensuring efficient operations,” said Griffith. “Because electricity costs are low, local, and more immune to global oil shocks, we believe every electric truck in a mixed fleet can act as a buffer against the volatility that is once again hammering operators who run entirely on gasoline and diesel.”
Production and Availability
The W56 is currently in production at Workhorse’s Union City, Indiana, plant. The facility can produce more than 5,000 vehicles per year on a single shift. Workhorse sells through a national dealer network and provides post-sale support through regionally deployed technicians.
The lower pricing reflects initial synergies from the December 2025 Workhorse-Motiv Electric Trucks merger. The combined company is working to reduce production costs through economies of scale and supply chain efficiencies.
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