Photo: Rivian
Rivian announced that Amazon would deploy the EDV-500, a smaller version of its Electric Delivery Van, in Europe. More than 300 vans will start delivering packages for Amazon in Germany over the coming weeks, with more countries planned in the future.
Rivian started its European career thanks to Amazon deploying the Electric Delivery Vans (EDV) in Germany. More than 300 Rivian delivery vans will roam the streets of major cities, including Munich, Berlin, and Dusseldorf. Germany is the first country where Rivian started its European expansion, with more to be added.
The European version of the Rivian EDV will be adapted to the local city roads, being 7 inches (180 mm) narrower than the US version. It's also the shortest EDV variant, and Rivian calls it EDV-500 based on its cargo capacity in cubic feet. In the metric system, this equals 14 cubic meters. Make no mistake, this is almost as big as the biggest Ford Transit van variant (extended length, high roof), which can swallow 536 cubic feet (15.19 cubic meters) of cargo.
Other than that, the Rivian EDV-500 is identical to its bigger brothers EDV-700 and EDV-1000 operating in the US. They offer advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking systems, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility. Rivian claims the design was penned after taking notes from real delivery drivers. The EDV vans feature an ergonomically-designed driver's cabin and a powered bulkhead door that opens automatically when drivers reach delivery destinations.
Rivian recently switched to using Enduro drive units that it developed in-house to replace the Bosch-supplied motors. This should reduce costs and allow Rivian better control of manufacturing. The EDV is also the first Rivian vehicle to use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. While the Enduro motors are already making their way to the R1T and R1S lineups, the LFP battery packs are yet to be installed in the passenger vehicles.
Rivian EDV vans were designed in partnership with Amazon, and the retail giant ordered a whopping 100,000 electric vans. It also paid upfront by investing $700 million in the EV startup in 2019. About 3,000 have been delivered, with the rest expected to join Amazon's global fleet by 2030.
Still, Rivian is not satisfied with the pace of Amazon's orders and would like to be able to sell the EDV to other companies. According to an earlier report, Amazon only ordered 10,000 vans for 2023. According to their agreement, this is the minimum required to keep the exclusivity clause. The contract stipulates that all the EDV vans produced by Rivian in the first four years after the first deliveries belong to Amazon.
This is preventing Rivian from selling the EDV to other companies. Since the first EDV vans were delivered in December 2021, Rivian still owes the entire EDV production to Amazon until the end of 2025. It's highly unlikely that Amazon would give up EDV exclusivity, considering the electric delivery vans have become part of its brand image.
The European version of the Rivian EDV will be adapted to the local city roads, being 7 inches (180 mm) narrower than the US version. It's also the shortest EDV variant, and Rivian calls it EDV-500 based on its cargo capacity in cubic feet. In the metric system, this equals 14 cubic meters. Make no mistake, this is almost as big as the biggest Ford Transit van variant (extended length, high roof), which can swallow 536 cubic feet (15.19 cubic meters) of cargo.
Other than that, the Rivian EDV-500 is identical to its bigger brothers EDV-700 and EDV-1000 operating in the US. They offer advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking systems, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility. Rivian claims the design was penned after taking notes from real delivery drivers. The EDV vans feature an ergonomically-designed driver's cabin and a powered bulkhead door that opens automatically when drivers reach delivery destinations.
Rivian recently switched to using Enduro drive units that it developed in-house to replace the Bosch-supplied motors. This should reduce costs and allow Rivian better control of manufacturing. The EDV is also the first Rivian vehicle to use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. While the Enduro motors are already making their way to the R1T and R1S lineups, the LFP battery packs are yet to be installed in the passenger vehicles.
Rivian EDV vans were designed in partnership with Amazon, and the retail giant ordered a whopping 100,000 electric vans. It also paid upfront by investing $700 million in the EV startup in 2019. About 3,000 have been delivered, with the rest expected to join Amazon's global fleet by 2030.
Still, Rivian is not satisfied with the pace of Amazon's orders and would like to be able to sell the EDV to other companies. According to an earlier report, Amazon only ordered 10,000 vans for 2023. According to their agreement, this is the minimum required to keep the exclusivity clause. The contract stipulates that all the EDV vans produced by Rivian in the first four years after the first deliveries belong to Amazon.
This is preventing Rivian from selling the EDV to other companies. Since the first EDV vans were delivered in December 2021, Rivian still owes the entire EDV production to Amazon until the end of 2025. It's highly unlikely that Amazon would give up EDV exclusivity, considering the electric delivery vans have become part of its brand image.
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