Workhorse Group said one of its W56 electric step vans completed a 2,400-mile drive from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Anaheim, California, for ACT Expo. While there, the W56 is available for test drives.

Workhorse said the 2,400-mile cross-country journey generated operational data that matters to fleet managers. The company said 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 immediately visible in the bottom line.

“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 journey, captured in a new video released today, highlights key moments on the road, from charging stops in small towns and rural areas often seen as “charging deserts,” to navigating challenging mountain passes and urban traffic. 

The video offers a driver’s view of how the W56 performs across real-world routes, providing a clear look at the reliability, efficiency, and everyday capability that Workhorse builds into its vehicles.

ACT Expo Trip Follows 1,000 Mile Drive to Orlando

The drive is part of a series of real-world tests by Workhorse 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-inch extended wheelbase model was driven 150 miles from Cincinnati to Indianapolis for the Ride & Drive at Work Truck Week, reinforcing the message that Workhorse trucks are built to be driven, not just displayed.

What Workhorse is Exhibiting at ACT Expo

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-inch 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.”

More Details About the W56

The Workhorse W56 is a 100% electric, Class 5-6 step van specifically designed to meet last-mile delivery requirements. It has up to 150 miles of real-world range and cargo capacities of 1,000 or 1,200 cubic feet. 

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.