Pandemic e-commerce surge spurs race for 'Tesla-like' electric delivery vans

UPS Driver Gilbert Lopez with his electric UPS truck, in Los Angeles, California, United States, Sept 1. —Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

US delivery fleet operators face regulatory pressure in California and other states to buy electric vehicles, but a surge in package deliveries thanks to coronavirus lockdowns has major firms itching to switch to electric right now.

And they want far more than just battery-powered versions of diesel- or gas-guzzling trucks and vans.