Rivian Automotive delivered its first batch of electrical supply vans on Thursday to Amazon, an early investor that has been ready out manufacturing delays on the EV startup however can now put the futuristic automobiles to work in main U.S. cities.
“In 2019, Rivian and Amazon dedicated to fast-tracking a brand new sort of supply car that might lead to a big discount of carbon emissions,” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe stated in a joint assertion by the businesses. “That imaginative and prescient is now being realized.”
The transfer is one other step ahead for Rivian, which has struggled to ramp up production of its electrical R1T pickup, and has solely lately introduced the formal launch of its R1S SUV. Rivian’s shopper automobiles are constructed on the R1 platform at its manufacturing unit in Regular, Sick., and the electrical supply vans are constructed on a separate line.
Amazon unveiled road-ready EDVs at a last-mile supply heart in Chicago, the businesses stated. Amazon has been testing preproduction automobiles since final yr.
“Beginning immediately, prospects throughout the U.S. will start to see customized electrical supply automobiles from Rivian delivering their Amazon packages, with the electrical automobiles hitting the street in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas Metropolis, Nashville, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and St. Louis, amongst different cities,” the businesses stated.
“This rollout is only the start of what’s anticipated to be hundreds of Amazon’s customized electrical supply automobiles in additional than 100 cities by the tip of this yr — and 100,000 throughout the U.S. by 2030,” the discharge stated.
The vans for Amazon’s fleet will come in numerous sizes, based mostly on cargo capability.
Rivian has stated the EDV 700, with 700 cubic toes of cargo area, is rated at simply greater than 200 miles of vary. The automaker can also be making a smaller EDV 500, and plans an even bigger EDV 900 — each with no less than 150 miles of vary.
Amazon stated it has added hundreds of charging stations at its supply facilities throughout the nation and can proceed the enlargement to assist the electrification of its supply fleet. Amazon can also be ordering electrical Ram ProMaster vans from Stellantis.
Rivian stated in its fourth-quarter 2021 earnings report that it had began manufacturing and deliveries of the electrical supply vans, and a few check automobiles have been noticed in main cities.
“Amazon has been testing deliveries with Rivian preproduction automobiles since 2021, delivering over 430,000 packages and accumulating over 90,000 miles,” the businesses stated. “This important testing has allowed Rivian to constantly enhance the car’s efficiency, security and sturdiness in varied climates and geographies.”