Rivian begins deploying its electric vans for Amazon

Electric mobility has become a necessity for many companies that have to make deliveries in cities. For this reason, Amazon has ordered several models of electric vans, which will provide service in several cities around the world. One of the companies chosen to deliver these electric delivery vehicles is Rivian. And for the past few days, the brand has begun deploying the vans in several American cities.

Amazon expects these vehicles to reach 100 American cities, so it is preparing for the first of them to receive the vans, ready for use. These will arrive in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and St. Louis. In these cities they can already be seen driving around and soon they will reach other American cities.

By the end of 2030, there are expected to be around 100,000 units in service. This will allow many cities to benefit from the advantages of having electric delivery vehicles under the Amazon banner. It must be remembered that it is one of the most important home delivery companies in the world and it has a very large presence in the urban areas of many countries.

The platform underpinning this van is the same one that serves as the basis for the R1T and R1S models, the pick-up and the SUV that the brand sells. But in this case, it has designed the vehicle according to Amazon’s needs and offers everything the distribution giant needs to meet its day-to-day service.

There are two variants, called EDV500 and EDV700, which offer a cargo capacity of 14 and 19 cubic metres. Another version of this van with a capacity of 25 cubic metres will arrive soon.

These variants are all manufactured at the same plant in Illinois. In this plant they have set up a new production line, parallel to the one used to assemble the R1S and R1T. Although it is being distributed now, Amazon has already worked with several pre-production models. These have served as tests for the company in different parts of the United States, with very different weather conditions.

What is interesting about the agreement between Rivian and Amazon is that there is no exclusivity between the two companies, so it will be possible to find this model and other designs at different American distribution companies. For now, Rivian’s plans include manufacturing several million units of all its models over the coming years.