Summary
- Amazon increased its U.S. EDV fleet by 50% in nine months
- Amazon now has over 15,000 Rivian battery-powered vans in the U.S. and over 300 in Germany
- Rivian’s commercial business extends beyond Amazon and AT&T, with operations in Canada as well
- Amazon aims to have 100,000 Rivian electric vans delivering parcels by 2030
- Amazon has installed over 17,000 chargers at more than 120 delivery stations in the U.S.
Article
Amazon Increases its Fleet of Rivian Electric Delivery Vans
Amazon recently announced that it has increased its fleet of Rivian Electric Delivery Vans (EDVs) in the United States by 50%, now totaling over 15,000 vans. This marks a significant increase from just 10,000 electric vans in October of the previous year. Additionally, Amazon’s European operations in Germany now boast over 300 Rivian-made delivery EVs. With this expansion, Amazon aims to increase efficiency and speed in delivering packages to customers across the country.
Rivian’s Commercial Business Expansion
In addition to partnering with Amazon for custom-built electric vans, Rivian is exploring opportunities in other areas of the commercial vehicle sector. The company recently repurposed the Electric Commercial Van technology to create a right-hand drive mail van for deliveries in Canada. This diversification showcases Rivian’s commitment to innovation and tapping into new markets beyond traditional e-commerce partnerships with companies like Amazon and AT&T.
Challenges and Growth Projections for Rivian
While Amazon set a target to have 100,000 Rivian electric vans by 2030, Rivian’s delivery rates have somewhat lagged behind expectations. It took nine months to deliver the latest 5,000 units, indicating a potential delay in reaching the ambitious goal. To meet the target of 100,000 vans by 2030, Rivian would need to significantly increase its manufacturing capacity. Currently, the company produces an average of 7,500 units per year, which may fall short of the desired milestone without scaling up production processes.
Amazon’s EVs Delivery Milestone
With its existing fleet of Rivian EVs, Amazon has successfully delivered over 800 million packages to U.S. customers. To support its growing number of electric vans, Amazon has installed over 17,000 chargers at more than 120 delivery stations across the country. Initially exclusive to Amazon, Rivian’s electric commercial vehicle is now available for purchase by other customers, starting at $83,000 for the base model. This move reflects Rivian’s openness to expanding its market beyond exclusive partnerships with major e-commerce players.
Rivian and AT&T Partnership
In a further expansion of its commercial endeavors, Rivian collaborated with AT&T to launch a pilot program in 2024 featuring several Rivian ECVs and R1 EVs. This partnership demonstrates Rivian’s versatility in catering to diverse industries and their specific needs for electric vehicles. By embracing partnerships with companies like AT&T, Rivian is diversifying its customer base and solidifying its position in the growing electric vehicle market.
Future Prospects for Amazon and Rivian Partnership
The partnership between Amazon and Rivian is poised for further growth and innovation in the coming years. By expanding its fleet of electric delivery vans and exploring new commercial opportunities, Rivian is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the transportation sector. With Amazon’s ambitious plans to reach 100,000 Rivian electric vans by 2030, Rivian will need to scale up production and delivery capacities to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly delivery solutions. By leveraging the expertise of Rivian and the vast logistics network of Amazon, the partnership is set to revolutionize last-mile delivery and contribute to a more sustainable future for e-commerce operations.
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