Workhorse Expands Product Lineup with 140 kWh Version of Popular W56 Step Van
Rhea-AI Summary
Workhorse (NASDAQ: WKHS) introduced a new W56 step van with a 140 kWh battery, offering an estimated 100-mile range and pricing starting at $169,000 including an integrated composite body. The model is offered in Standard (178") and Expanded (208") wheelbases with up to 1,000 cu ft cargo and payloads of 11,000 lbs (Standard) and 10,000 lbs (Expanded).
Production occurs at Workhorse’s Union City, IN facility (capacity 5,000+ vehicles/year). The launch cites cost/time benefits from the December 2025 merger with Motiv and targets in-city last-mile fleets seeking lower-entry electric options.
Positive
- Price entry at $169,000 for purpose-built electric step van
- Range estimated 100 miles per charge at full payload
- Payload up to 11,000 lbs (Standard 178" wheelbase)
- Manufacturing capacity 5,000+ vehicles per year at Union City, IN
Negative
- Reduced range compared with higher-capacity 210 kWh W56 configuration
- 100-mile range may be insufficient for longer routes requiring 210 kWh
News Market Reaction – WKHS
In the Mar 26 session, WKHS declined 2.83%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10 | Fleet milestone update | Positive | -0.3% | Reported 1,100+ vehicles surpassing 20 million electric miles and emissions savings. |
| Dec 15 | Merger completion | Positive | -4.0% | Closed merger with Motiv Electric Trucks, forming larger medium-duty EV OEM. |
| Nov 25 | Merger approval vote | Positive | -6.9% | Shareholders approved merger with Motiv, clearing path to close transaction. |
| Nov 18 | Vote solicitation | Neutral | +37.6% | Company urged shareholders to vote for Motiv transaction ahead of meeting. |
| Nov 13 | Vote reminder | Neutral | -5.4% | Reminded investors of extended deadline to vote on Motiv deal proposals. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent positive strategic and operational updates have often coincided with negative next-day price moves, indicating a pattern of weak price alignment with good news.
Over the last several months, Workhorse has focused on scaling its electric truck platform and completing the Motiv merger. On Nov 25, 2025, shareholders approved the Motiv deal, followed by merger completion on Dec 15, 2025, yet shares fell 6.94% and 4.03% after those updates. A fleet milestone on Mar 10, 2026 highlighted 20 million miles of EV use but saw a slight 0.29% decline. Today’s W56 140 kWh launch extends that post‑merger product roadmap and cost-focus narrative.
Key Terms
oem technical
wheelbase technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- New configuration purpose-built for the needs of in-city, last-mile package delivery
- Lower entry price combined with 100-mile range offers more affordable option for companies seeking to diversify fleets as a hedge against rising fuel prices
DETROIT, March 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Workhorse Group Inc. (NASDAQ: WKHS) (“Workhorse”), a North American OEM and provider of all-electric trucks, step vans, shuttles and buses, today announced the availability of a new W56 Step Van model with a 140 kWh battery. The new model is based on the same platform as the 210 kWh Workhorse W56 step van, which is renowned for its spacious cargo, ergonomic design, reliability and durability and comes in two wheelbases (Standard and Extended).
W56 step vans with the Standard Wheelbase and 140 kWh configuration offer an estimated nominal range of 100 miles per charge at full payload. Pricing begins at
The Standard 178" Wheelbase offers 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space and a payload of 11,000 lbs., making it ideal for many last-mile delivery needs. The Expanded 208" Wheelbase offers 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space and 10,000 lbs., making it perfect for larger loads with the added benefit of enhanced stability for efficient operations.
“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 operators, (such as the network of independent service providers (ISPs) operating FedEx Ground routes, including Stables by Workhorse, an ISP that is owned and operated by Workhorse), have consistently reported that 100 miles of daily range substantially exceeds their needs for many of their routes. They’ve stated that a more appropriately sized battery pack at a lower price point would strengthen the business case for electrification.
The timing of today’s announcement comes as oil prices have surged — exceeding
“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 Scott Griffith, CEO of Workhorse. “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.”
The new model and pricing are a result of the initial synergies realized through Workhorse’s December 2025 merger with Motiv Electric Trucks, as the combined company works to drive down production costs through economies of scale as well as operational and supply chain efficiencies. Fleets now have new options as they seek to reduce overall operating costs and hedge against the volatility of gas prices. ISPs can now operate a blend of 140 kWh and 210 kWh configurations of the Workhorse W56 to optimize performance among the mix of shorter and longer routes they serve daily.
The W56 is currently in production at Workhorse’s commercial-scale manufacturing facility in Union City, Indiana, which is capable of producing up to 5,000+ vehicles per year on a single operating shift. Workhorse sells its vehicles through a national dealer network, with post-sale support bolstered by regionally deployed Workhorse-trained technicians.
About Workhorse Group Inc.
Headquartered in the Detroit area with a commercial-scale manufacturing plant in Union City, Indiana, Workhorse (Nasdaq: WKHS) is redefining what a medium-duty truck should be. Workhorse builds software-first, electric trucks, shuttles and buses that are powerful, cost-efficient, reliable, safe and comfortable — all with zero tailpipe emissions. Our deep experience building electric vehicles at scale drives intentional innovations designed to help customers lower operating costs, improve fleet performance, enhance the driver experience, and maximize uptime without compromise. More information is available at www.workhorse.com.
Media Relations Contact:
Workhorse
John Williams, Communications
+1-206-660-5503, john.williams@workhorse.com
ICR, Inc.,
workhorse@icrinc.com
Investor Relations Contact:
ir@workhorse.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including, among other things, statements regarding future events, plans and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, the anticipated benefits of the Motiv/Workhorse merger, the anticipated impact of the Workhorse/Motiv merger on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, the expected amount and timing of synergies from the Workhorse/Motiv merger and other aspects of either company’s operations or operating results are forward-looking statements. Some of these statements may be identified by the use of the words “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “estimated”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “targets”, “projects”, “contemplates”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of Workhorse as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include our ability to achieve the expected synergies and/or efficiencies from our operations and as a result of the Motiv/Workhorse merger; the effect of the announcement of the Motiv/Workhorse merger on the ability of the parties to operate their businesses and retain and hire key personnel and to maintain favorable business relationships; the possibility that the integration of the parties may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected or that operating costs and business disruptions may be greater than expected; the risk that the price of our securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors; changes in laws, regulations, technologies, the global supply chain, and macro-economic and social environments affecting our business; and our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq rules and otherwise maintain our listing of securities on Nasdaq.
Additional information on these and other factors that may cause actual results and Workhorse’s performance to differ materially is included in Workhorse’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including, but not limited to, Workhorse’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” therein, and Workhorse’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of Workhorse’s filings with the SEC are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained by contacting Workhorse. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Workhorse undertakes no obligations to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
1 https://qz.com/brent-crude-oil-prices-wti-iran-war-energy-attacks-south-pars
2 https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/20/energy/oil-gas-prices-intl-hnk
3 https://www.automotive-fleet.com/346725/containing-fuel-spend-is-a-top-fleet-focus-despite-price-stability
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7d2a6f4-92e1-44f6-817b-94364a951e49
