A few years ago, Amazon commissioned the American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian to produce 100,000 vans. Now, the first significant step towards realizing the internet giant's emission-free transportation goal has been completed. Amazon expanded its fleet with electric vehicles several months ago and plans to increasingly switch to these in Europe and North America. The company has set the ambitious goal of becoming completely carbon neutral by 2040.
For this, it works closely with the US-based Tesla competitor, Rivian. According to a press report from 2019, the order of 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian is the largest of its kind to date. By 2030, all ordered vehicles are expected to be in operation, which should enable Amazon to save about four million tons of CO2 annually.
Recently, Amazon announced in a business presentation that 10,000 vehicles from Rivian are already part of their fleet in Europe and North America, as reported by Reuters. In total, the company has already made a proud 260 million deliveries with these electrically powered vans. In addition, Amazon is also working with the Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo to expand its range of heavy electric trucks. Volvo has announced that it will deliver 20 of these trucks to Amazon in 2022.
One of the most renowned tech-experts has taken a close look at the Rivian transporter in a YouTube video. According to his statements, the EDV500 model is extremely impressive for electric drivers. The lithium iron phosphate battery with 100 kWh enables a range of at least 200 kilometers and can be charged overnight with 50 kW.
The van features front-wheel drive, offers just under 190 HP and reaches a top speed of 112 km/h. In contrast to the luxurious Rivian pickup, the transporter is designed more for functionality. Marques Brownlee, operator of the YouTube channel Auto Focus, has examined the longer "700" version of the vehicle in his video. The front section resembles the Rivian RT1, but features round rather than oval headlights, on which the Amazon logo is visible.
Inside, there are also Amazon emblems, including the well-known Amazon "smile", found on the door panel. Characteristic for American delivery vans are the front doors, with the passenger seat missing to provide the driver with direct access to the cargo area. Instead of a central rearview mirror, there is a display for the driver and traditional side mirrors. The huge windshield also requires huge sun visors. The cargo area provides ample standing height for taller individuals as well as space for many packages, and the rear loading door opens automatically like a roller blind.
According to Marques, the van also has the fastest heating and cooling function he has ever seen. However, the van's most noticeable feature is the "crown", a large, perimeter light at the rear part, which makes the vehicle unmistakable. In his test, Marques estimates that the van takes about nine seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. Although he could only take a short spin around the Amazon parking lot, he is overall impressed by the driving characteristics of the Rivian transporter.
The collaboration with Rivian and the order of 100,000 electric delivery vehicles is an important step for Amazon on the path to a completely emission-free fleet. The company has ambitious goals and wants to become climate neutral by 2040. Thanks to the cooperation with Rivian, as well as collaborations with other manufacturers such as Volvo, Amazon is well on its way to achieving this goal. The Rivian transporter is functional and impressive, and its initial tests are promising. Overall, it is an important step for Amazon towards a more sustainable future.
