Workhorse W-15 Concept Reveals Ambitious Electric Pickup Plans
Workhorse has unveiled the W-15, a concept for an all-electric pickup with a range extender, targeting commercial fleets with Panasonic battery tech and dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Workhorse, the US-based commercial EV specialist, has introduced the W-15 concept, an electric pickup truck designed from the ground up for fleet use. The company aims to be the first American OEM to offer a purpose-built plug-in hybrid, range-extended electric pickup, rather than a conversion of an existing model.
The W-15 draws power from Panasonic 18650 lithium-ion batteries, the same cell format used in several high-profile electric vehicles. Workhorse claims an electric-only range of around 80 miles (130 kilometres), which it believes covers the daily requirements of most fleet operators. When additional range is needed, a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine sourced from BMW steps in as a generator, mirroring the approach used in the BMW i3 and Workhorse’s own delivery vans.
Technical approach and drivetrain
The W-15 employs two electric motors, one at each axle, providing all-wheel drive. While Workhorse has not released full performance specifications for the pickup, the system is expected to deliver up to 268 horsepower (200 kW) and a substantial 1,620 lb-ft (2,196 Nm) of torque, based on figures from the company’s E-Gen delivery vans that use the same powertrain.
The range extender is the compact BMW W20 engine, originally developed for use in motorcycles and adapted for automotive applications in the i3. Its role is solely to generate electricity for the battery when charge runs low, not to drive the wheels directly. This configuration allows the W-15 to operate as a pure electric vehicle for short trips, switching to hybrid mode only when necessary.
Positioning and market context
Workhorse is targeting the commercial market, arguing that most fleet pickups rarely exceed 80 miles in a day. By combining a substantial electric range with a petrol range extender, the W-15 aims to reduce both running costs and emissions for operators who need flexibility. The use of proven Panasonic battery technology and a BMW-sourced generator gives the concept a technical credibility that may appeal to fleet managers weighing up the transition to electric vehicles.
While the W-15 remains a concept, Workhorse’s track record with electric vans suggests the company is serious about production. No firm timeline or price has been announced. The W-15 enters a market where other manufacturers are also considering electrified pickups, with Toyota reportedly mulling a hybrid entry for the US market (see Toyota Considers Hybrid Pickup for US Market Expansion).
