Prepare for the rise of electric delivery vans in your area! Rivian, the EV manufacturer, is set to start selling its large commercial vans to users beyond Amazon starting in February.

According to Erica Tsypin, director of fleet solutions, the vans’ innovative drivetrain and additional features will offer customers reduced expenses and improved security. This was discussed while we were touring one of the vans at the indoor EV test track at the Detroit auto show.

The vehicle is on showcase alongside Rivian’s high-end electric models, the R1T midsize pickup and the R1S SUV, which offer demo rides until the event wraps up on January 20.

Starting prices are around $83,000. Rivian guarantees considerable savings in operational costs and energy usage, in addition to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Rivian Commercial Van (RCV) resembles the vans Amazon currently utilizes, with Amazon being a substantial investor in Rivian. The retail giant has placed an order for 100,000 Rivian vans and has already begun receiving deliveries from the assembly plant in Normal, Illinois.

Contemporary Design, Distinctive Attributes

Visually, the RCVs are tall and stylish delivery vans featuring sleek, modern exterior lighting.

Rivian is focusing on large fleet operators as it pushes for broader sales, Tsypin explained. Customers will receive the Delivery 500 and longer Delivery 700 vans starting this spring.

Key features include:

• A 15.6-inch central touchscreen
• Low height for easy access
• A handy handhold for easy entry
• Prominent LED headlights
• Rear halo safety lighting and taillights
• 360-degree cameras for enhanced driver safety and parking assistance
• An automatic bulkhead door for securing cargo and enhancing ergonomics
• Well-lit cargo area with headroom of up to 6 feet, 10 inches
• Energy-efficient “microclimate seats” for comfort across various weather conditions

The automatic bulkhead door operates by sliding open when the vehicle is in park for deliveries and shuts when in drive. A sensor will close it if the driver moves far enough away to put the cargo at risk.

Charging Duration and Distance

Equipped with a 100 kWh battery, the 500 model can travel 161 miles on a single charge, while the 700 model can go 153 miles. The 500 model measures 248.5 inches in length with a 157.5-inch wheelbase, whereas the 700 model is 278 inches long with a 187-inch wheelbase.

Given that these vans will operate in shifts, the majority of charging will occur overnight using 240-volt connections at depots. At this rate, the batteries provide an additional 17 miles of range per hour, and 86 miles per hour when plugged into a 50kW DC fast charger. The vans come equipped with a CCS DC charging port and also include an adapter for Tesla-style (NACS) chargers. While the R1T and R1S models will be incorporating built-in NACS ports, the vans will still be delivered with CCS ports.

Amazon, aiming to lower its environmental impact, received the first vans because it is a leading investor in Rivian and has vowed to purchase 100,000 vans by 2030. Additionally, Amazon sources electric vans from other manufacturers.

In 2024, Ford sold 12,160 electric E-Transit commercial vans, while Stellantis’ Ram truck division offers ProMaster EV vans but does not disclose the sales figures for electric versus traditional gas models.

For more details, contact Mark Phelan at 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.