Just when you thought Amazon might have access to enough modern toys, the mega company has tapped automaker Rivian to produce a large fleet of innovative, electric deliver vans over the next several years.
The first 10,000 of these new battery-powered cruising vessels are scheduled to be on the road by the end of 2022.
While you may not normally give a second thought to most delivery vans – from Amazon or others – this new electric fleet has some unique and innovative features that aim to establish the new fleet as innovative and iconic. Let’s look at a few of the details.
Multiple sizes to cover a variety of uses
Amazon is tasking Rivian with designing three different vans in a range of carrying capacities. All models will share the same interior height, with the smallest one being narrower than the others. All models are comparatively roomy with today’s common delivery vans.
Despite their generally large size, the vans are built to be quite maneuverable, with the largest van having roughly the same turning radius as the smallest.
The result will be a fleet capable of hauling a large volume of packages across a wide landscape with the handling ability to easily navigate narrow city streets, alleys and driveways.
A design focused on driver safety and comfort
Amazon’s Rivian vans are purpose-built to provide safety and comfort, with many updated features for the delivery drivers.
These design enhancements are geared for efficiency – and as an attempt to boost driver retention.
Rivian spoke directly with many Amazon drivers to get an idea of the features they wanted and what would help make their jobs easier overall. The new fleet of Prime Vans will include a comprehensive climate-control system, spacious cabin area and touchscreen information systems. The vans will include heated and cooled seats and armrests, and the windshield defrosts via a small wire grid, a system that is far more efficient than standard defrosters.
For added safety, the vans feature better impact protection on the drivers-side door thanks to a new front-hinged design. Additionally, forward collision alerts, auto-emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance are all activated through radar and camera sensors.
Eco-friendly and connected for performance
One of the biggest benefits of this new eco-fleet is that the vans will operate at optimal levels with the smallest battery necessary.
This option may change in the future as needs evolve, but for the initial rollout, vans in the Rivian Prime fleet will run from a single battery pack with a 150-mile range.
Another tech feature aimed at both safety and performance is connectivity.
Rivian will maintain digital connections to all vehicles to monitor vehicle operating status, maintenance needs, and to communicate with drivers for impending repairs or battery charging. This will enable the entire fleet to operate at top performance levels at all times.
In all, Amazon’s Rivian Prime Electric Delivery fleet promises to be an impressive, safe and economical class of vehicles.
But what do you think? Is this EV fleet the first of many, or will the future of delivery take a different route?
Reach out to Inspire Advanced Transportation with your thoughts.
