As part of Amazon’s pledge to have a zero emissions fleet by 2040, it has unveiled its first, customized on-the-road electric delivery van, designed and built in partnership with Rivian.
Amazon is transforming its transportation network around the world through electrification innovations, efficiency enhancements and alternative delivery methods. It aims to get 10,000 Amazon EVs on the road as early as 2022 and all 100,000 by 2030.
This is one of three different models that Amazon has invested in and completely customized with Rivian, a company Amazon invested US$700m into, to enhance the driver experience and optimize safety. While Amazon and Rivian have not revealed technical specifications on the battery, drivetrain or range, it has listed number of custom features that have been specifically designed on the van for safety and operational convenience for its drivers.
These include sensors for highway and traffic assist, exterior cameras linked to a digital display in the cockpit that provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, Alexa integration, and spaces inside the vehicle for easy movement for drivers and smart storage for packages.
“When we set out to create our first customized electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle. We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighborhood and pulling up to their home,” said Ross Rachey, Director of Amazon’s Global Fleet and Products. “We combined Rivian’s technology with our delivery logistics knowledge, and the result is what you see here-the future of last mile delivery.”
“The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric. We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO. “We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the work space feels like and what the work flow is for delivering packages.”
“We are working to advance and implement the technology that will support these vans—ranging from the physical charging infrastructure to enhancements and optimization of our delivery stations,” said Rachey.
Prior to investing in Rivian, Amazon was unable to find electric options that met the needs of its drivers and delivery operations. Instead of waiting for the industry to advance, Amazon partnered with Rivian to accelerate the path to an electric delivery vehicle that fit its needs. Together they invented a solution that Rachey believes will reset industry expectations for electric delivery vehicle capabilities.
The company also announced that it’s adding 1,800 electric delivery vehicles this year to its fleet in Europe and is also adding 10,000 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet in India, operating in over 20 cities by 2025.
