Amazon now has more than 1,000 Rivian electric vans making deliveries
Amazon says its Rivian electric delivery vans now make up 1,000 vehicles in its delivery fleet.
Amazon
The vans now make deliveries in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, and other cities.
Amazon
Amazon says there will eventually be thousands of vans making deliveries in hundreds of US cities.
Amazon
“Today marks a significant milestone in our Climate Pledge commitment. Rivian was one of the first companies Amazon invested in through the Climate Pledge Fund, and we’re just getting started on our journey to have 100,000 of Rivian’s vehicles on the road by 2030,” CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement in July.
Amazon
“These
new vehicles are also great for drivers — they were designed with driver input and feedback along the way, and they’re among the safest and most comfortable delivery vehicles on the road today,” Jassy continued.
Amazon
The company installed thousands of charging stations at delivery stations to support the new fleet.
Amazon
The collaboration with Rivian has been in the works for years.
Amazon
The company first announced in February 2020 that it ordered the custom delivery vehicles, with plans to have them on the road by 2022.
Amazon
According to Amazon, the team spent 18 months considering available electric vehicle options before deciding to make its own.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The vehicles are made at Rivian’s plant in Normal, Illinois.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Designers created digital renderings of the vehicles.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
They also worked on models in the clay studio at Rivian headquarters in
Plymouth, Michigan.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Clay models are a relatively inexpensive way to show what the new vans will look like before production begins.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Styrofoam acts as the base for the model.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The model vans are a combination of lightweight styrofoam and a packed layer of clay.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Then, sculptors perfect the models by smoothing the edges …
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
…giving the models realistic details.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The vehicles will eventually come in three sizes.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
This photo shows scale models of the three vans, which will also each support multiple
battery sizes.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Amazon says that this will allow each vehicle to be optimized for its specific route.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The vans will also have some important safety features.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
They will be equipped with “automated emergency
braking, front-wheel, and all-wheel drive options, lane keep assist…
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
…a pedestrian warning system, traffic design recognition, and an automatic warning system that detects and alerts distracted driver behavior.”
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The vehicles will also be integrated into Amazon’s logistics management system.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
They’ll be integrated with routing and package delivery system used by Amazon, too.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The company says that this means drivers will be able to focus on driving…
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
…because there will no longer be a need for other devices with mapping information or delivery instructions.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
With Alexa built into the vehicles, drivers will be able to use voice commands to get help while driving or moving packages in the cargo bay.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Amazon says it consulted current delivery drivers on aspects of the design, “from how the seat feels to the ease of getting in and out of the vehicles, package loading and unloading, and visibility.”
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
Amazon also says that it created a virtual reality setup where drivers can experience what the new vans will be like.
Amazon electric delivery van.
Jordan Stead
The vehicles also have what Amazon calls a “dancefloor” of open space inside the cabin for drivers.
Amazon electric delivery vehicle.
Amazon
Amazon and Rivian said that they tested the vehicles on the road for four months before sending out deliveries.
Amazon electric vehicles
Amazon
Amazon is installing thousands of charging stations across the U.S. and Europe in preparation for a larger rollout.
Amazon electric vehicles
Amazon
