Rivian is an automobile manufacturer best known for its excellent line of R1 vehicles. The R1T is especially iconic with its cartoon cup and incredible off-road capability.
But did you know that Rivian also makes a super cool electric delivery van for Amazon?
A lot of people don’t know that those awesome new Amazon vans that drop packages everywhere are actually built by Rivian. Better yet, the trucks are packed with features that make the driver’s journey that much easier.
Why is Rivian building electric delivery vans for Amazon?
The answer to this question is quite simple. Amazon is a partial owner of Rivian, so when it came time to electrify its fleet, the most logical move for Amazon was to turn to Rivian. As a result, the automaker received an order for 100,000 trucks from Amazon, and Rivian is busy fulfilling this massive order.
Also, this probably won’t be the last product Rivian creates for Amazon. If the electric pickup truck is any indication, we can expect many more great products from the startup automaker.
1. EDV features dual-motor front-wheel drive
The EDV (Electric Delivery Van) uses a peculiar dual-motor configuration that only allows front-wheel drive capability. If you’ve been following developments in the EV automotive segment, you’ll know that nearly all EVs currently on sale with a dual-motor configuration are all-wheel drive.
But, in the case of the Rivian EDV, the two engines are located at the front. This is because they are derived from the R1 series of trucks, which means that each of these motors drives an individual wheel.
It’s great to come across a front-wheel drive system with a dedicated motor for each wheel. It will be very interesting to see how this affects the driving dynamics of the car because it is probably the only car on the road with this setup.
In the long run, this configuration might not be profitable, especially if Rivian plans to produce an AWD version of the EDV. In the future, Rivian may go for a simple dual-motor setup that uses a single motor to drive the front wheels and another motor for the rear.
Using the immensely capable R1T’s Quad Motor setup seems like something that might not be practical or cost-effective for use in a commercial vehicle.
2. Huge brake light
The massive rear brake light on Amazon’s electric delivery van is probably its most distinctive feature, even more so than the quirky front end. The EDV’s rear lighting elements may well form the largest brake light signature ever installed on a vehicle.
It’s absolutely huge, and recognizing the Amazon EDV on the go should be extremely easy. Of course, the van as a whole is very striking for a delivery vehicle. But, the huge tail lights give the commercial van a unique look that will definitely set it apart from the competition.
The rear of the EDV also features Amazon’s Prime Blue color scheme on the sliding door, making the rear stand out even more. In case you didn’t recognize the Rivian van after seeing the huge brake lights, you won’t be in any doubt after seeing the Amazon logo plastered on the back of the van.
3. Friendly interface
The front end of the Amazon delivery van is one of the prettiest in the automotive world. The only other vehicle that can rival the quirky pickup front end in terms of personality are Rivian’s R1T and R1S electric utility vehicles.
Rivian definitely knows how to put a distinctive mug on a vehicle. In the case of the EDV, the large round taillights and smiling bumper lip give it a friendly and approachable look. He won’t often hear the word cute to describe a commercial delivery van, but in Rivian’s case, it’s fitting.
The glossy black grille is also very stylish, lending a futuristic aura to the front of the Rivian. The headlights are subtle, yet high-tech, and feature cool design touches like Amazon’s smiling arrow logo inside the housing.
Rivian made the daytime running lights ultra-visible, and they also turn amber to function as immediately noticeable turn signals.
4. Strange reverse noise
Commercial delivery vehicles typically emit a characteristic beep when reversing. We’ve all heard this rather annoying noise every time a truck backs up, but Rivian’s delivery van tries to implement a less annoying sound.
But, the sound that Rivian came up with is just weird. Pedestrians will likely hear you, but may be confused as to exactly what is going on. The traditional beep is so deeply ingrained in the collective psyche as a universal signal that a large vehicle is reversing that it seems a bit odd that Rivian decided to add a sound that’s unlike anything.
Although the sound is definitely less annoying than the normal beep, it could be argued that it should be annoying for people to notice.
In Rivian’s case, the reverse sound from EDV sounds like a damaged speaker trying to beep but failing. Sometimes it’s unnecessary to reinvent the wheel, and this is a perfect example.
5. Automatic door to access the cargo in the cabin
The Rivian EDV is designed to make the driver’s life as comfortable as possible. It could be the first example of a vehicle designed by a company specifically with employee comfort in mind.
Everything, from the surfaces the driver steps on when getting into the van, to the height of the seat, has been designed with driver comfort and convenience in mind. Another feature that makes life much easier for the driver is the door that opens automatically just behind the driver’s seat, allowing access to the cargo area of ​​the truck.
This door opens automatically every time the Rivian van is parked. If necessary, drivers can also control this gate from the central touch screen.
Once the van is underway, the sliding door closes again and you’re ready to continue your package delivery journey. It’s great that Amazon has partnered with Rivian to create a vehicle that will help maximize the productivity of their employees.
The Rivian EDV is the coolest delivery van ever
Delivery vans aren’t usually the type of vehicle most people fawn over, but the Rivian isn’t just any van. Instead, it’s truly one of the coolest vehicles currently on the road.
The truck is distinctively Rivian, but it has a lot of little features that make it an Amazon product. These vans should help make life more enjoyable for the hard-working people who deliver our packages 24 hours a day.