Rivian EDV

The Rivian EDV (Electric Delivery Van) is a battery-electric cargo vehicle built by Rivian exclusively for its investor Amazon, which uses the van for package delivery. The EDV uses the RCV (Rivian Commercial Vehicle) platform, which is derived from the R1 platform that underpins the manufacturer's R1T pickup truck and R1S sport-utility vehicles, and is built in three sizes. Specific models (ordered by increasing size) include the EDV-500, EDV-700, and EDV-900.

Rivian EDV
Rivian EDV-500
Overview
ManufacturerRivian
Also called
  • Electric Delivery Vehicle
  • Amazon Custom EDV
Production2021–present
AssemblyNormal, Illinois (Rivian Automotive LLC)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door panel van
LayoutFWD or AWD
PlatformRivian RCV
Related
Powertrain
Propulsionbattery-electric
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,988–5,207 mm (157–205 in)
Length6,299–8,153 mm (248–321 in)

History

In February 2019, Amazon announced it was leading a $700 million investment in Rivian.[1] That September, Amazon Logistics ordered 100,000 battery electric delivery vehicles[2] as part of a collaborative design effort between Rivian and Amazon.[3] Initial schedules stated the first vans would be delivered to Amazon in 2021,[4][5] with as many as 10,000 electric vans in operation by 2022, and the full order to be fulfilled by 2024.[6] However, that date was later revised to 2030.[7] The Rivian collaboration is part of Amazon's plan to convert its delivery fleet to 100% renewable energy by 2030.[8] Amazon also will source electric vans and three-wheelers from other OEMs, such as Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Mahindra.[9]

By February 2020, Rivian had shown a full-size clay model of the van.[10] A prototype Amazon electric delivery van with 150-mile (240 km) range was tested on public roads in early 2021, starting in Los Angeles[11] and San Francisco.[12] By April 2021, testing had expanded to Denver[13] with additional plans to test in sixteen more U.S. cities in different climate zones. Tests in Oklahoma and Michigan were underway by July 2021.[12] The first production EDV, an EDV-700, was completed in December 2021 and delivered to Amazon.[14]: 12 

Deployment of the electric delivery vans began in nine U.S. cities in July 2022.[15][16] By November, Amazon stated it had more than 1,000 EDVs in operation which had delivered a collective 5 million packages.[17] In July 2023, one year after Amazon began receiving the vans, more than 5,000 had been delivered, and the first deliveries to Germany had begun.[18] By October, that had doubled to 10,000 vans.[19]

It is expected, based on the presence of a non-Amazon trim code, that Rivian will market the van to fleet owners in the future.[20] Under the initial agreement, Amazon has exclusive rights to purchase the EDV for four years after the first batch was delivered, and the right of first refusal over any other companies seeking to purchase the EDV from Rivian for two additional years after that. Exclusivity is contingent on Amazon ordering 10,000 vans for each of the first two years of production, and if Amazon does not order 100,000 vans in total, the exclusivity arrangement is terminated.[21] After Amazon placed a minimum order for 10,000 EDVs in 2023, Rivian entered negotiations to terminate the exclusivity agreement.[22]

Specifications
Rivian EDV-700
Rivian EDV summary[23]
ParameterEDV-500EDV-700EDV-900
Range <150 mi (240 km)<120 mi (190 km)
Wheelbase 157 in (4,000 mm)187 in (4,700 mm)205 in (5,200 mm)
Length 248 in (6,300 mm)277 in (7,000 mm)321 in (8,200 mm)
Cargo area 500 cu ft (14 m3)660 cu ft (19 m3)840 cu ft (24 m3)
GVWR 9,350 lb (4,240 kg)14,000 lb (6,400 kg)

The van will be built in three sizes, with nominal storage capacities of 500, 700, or 900 cu ft (14, 20, or 25 m3). Each size will share the same stand-up interior height, but the smallest model will be narrower than the others. All of the vans will be built on the same platform—basic electrical and network architecture, ECUs, and battery-pack design—as the Rivian R1 models, and will use a basic single-motor e-axle drive unit. The van is to be produced exclusively for Amazon, and will be built with a steel chassis on a "low-feature-content" assembly line to keep costs down. The van is explicitly designed to allow Amazon to reduce costs and shrink its carbon footprint.[24]

Rivian EDV-500, photographed in Menlo Park, California

Because the EDV-500 will be used in Europe, it is 7 in (180 mm) narrower than the -700,[25][14]: 12  and the -500 also is available in a right-hand drive version.[20] Externally, the different sizes can be distinguished by counting the number of "segments" behind the side doors: the EDV-500 has three, the -700 has four, and the -900 has five.[26]

Chassis

The RCV platform uses a typical electric vehicle skateboard-type chassis with double wishbone front suspension and a twist beam trailing arm rear suspension on a steel ladder frame. The coil-sprung rear axle uses a track bar for lateral support, while the front suspension uses a transverse composite leaf spring.[26] Payload capacity ranges from 1,960 to 2,750 lb (890 to 1,250 kg).[27]

Traction motors

According to a vehicle identification number encoding document that Rivian filed with the NHTSA, there will be three drivetrain options: front-wheel drive using one or two traction motors, or all-wheel drive with two motors.[20] However, Rivian does not plan to produce the AWD model with two traction motors.[25]

The first EDV-700s have a dual-motor front-wheel drive arrangement,[28] using motors sourced from Robert Bosch GmbH.[25] The output has been detuned from the comparable front axle unit fitted to the R1T and R1S.[25]

In the first quarter of 2023, Rivian transitioned to using a single "Enduro" motor on the front axle, developed in-house.[29] The "Enduro" motor was developed to reduce costs and alleviate a production bottleneck due to a shortage of power semiconductors used in the Bosch-sourced traction motors; Enduro motors will be shared with dual-motor powertrain variants of the R1T and R1S.[30] Production of the Enduro drive units began in February 2023.[31]

Battery

The high-voltage traction battery is carried beneath the body floor.[26] Initially, only one traction battery size will be manufactured, with the same 135 kW-hr capacity and composition as the "Large" battery for R1T and R1S vehicles,[28] using Samsung NCA battery chemistry in 2170-sized cylindrical cells.[25] However, Rivian have announced they plan to migrate commercial vehicle batteries to a lithium iron phosphate chemistry, sized to meet a target range of 150 mi (240 km).[32] LFP migration for the EDV was completed in the first quarter of 2023,[29] simultaneous with the switch to the single Enduro motor.[25]

The EDV-900, which has the largest cargo volume, is expected to receive a smaller battery; because Amazon typically delivers bulky yet relatively light packages, the largest vans most likely will operate in dense neighborhoods, which would not require a very long range.[33] The tested range with the NCA battery and dual-motor front-drive is 201 mi (323 km) under the EPA driving cycle,[34] but for the vans delivered to Amazon, the range is limited by software to 150 mi (240 km).[25]

Charging speeds of up to 150 kW are possible,[27] although initial models were limited to 50 kW.[28] Regenerative braking is standard, but the level is not selectable.[28]

Safety
Rivian EDV-500, rear view

To aid the driver's vision, the van is equipped with an enlarged windshield and stitched exterior cameras that are used to display a view of the entire surroundings. For visibility to other motorists, the rear sides and roof of the van are outlined with a large red taillight.[26][35] Warning noises were developed through testing in Seattle that ensured the vans would be audible to pedestrians outdoors but not people inside buildings.[36] The EDV also is equipped with radar which along with the cameras enables advanced driver-assistance systems including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance.[33][37]

The curb-side door is a sliding door, while the street-side door for the driver is a conventional forward-hinged door, which provides better side impact resistance.[33] The rear cargo area is accessed either through an exterior roll-up door or an interior sliding door separating the cargo area from the driver's compartment;[37] input from Amazon delivery partners resulted in non-slip steps integrated into the rear bumper and handgrips to aid access.

Styling

The front of the vehicle was deliberately styled to be friendly and appealing, featuring circular headlights surrounded by semi-circular rings that act as daytime running lights or turn indicators;[6] Jason Torchinsky wrote the EDV "looks friendly and eager, like a whale who's here to help."[26]

The EDV is equipped with large touchscreens and navigation software to aid the driver on their route.[38]

References
  1. "Rivian lands $700M investment commitment led by Amazon". Automotive News. February 15, 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  2. Capparella, Joey (September 19, 2019). "Amazon Buys In to Rivian Electric-Truck Startup, Has Reportedly Ordered 100,000 Delivery Vans". Car and Driver. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  3. Coyle, Meg (February 2020). "Go behind the scenes as Amazon develops a new electric vehicle". About Amazon [blog]. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  4. Channick, Robert (19 September 2019). "'We have a new automaker, for real': Rivian to build 100,000 electric vans for Amazon at its Illinois factory, starting in 2021". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  5. "FORM 10-Q". U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. December 16, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  6. Capparella, Joey (September 19, 2019). "Rivian's New Amazon Delivery Vans Look Adorable". Car and Driver. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
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  9. Weise, Karen & Boudette, Neal E. (18 January 2022). "Can Anyone Satisfy Amazon's Craving for Electric Vans?". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  10. Baldwin, Roberto (February 4, 2020). "Rivian and Amazon Share a Glimpse at Their Electric Delivery Van". Car and Driver. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  11. Alvarez, Simon (3 February 2021). "Rivian's Amazon electric delivery vans deployed for road testing in Los Angeles". Teslarati. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  12. Loveday, Steven (30 July 2021). "Rivian All-Electric Amazon Delivery Vans Testing On Detroit Roads". InsideEVs. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  13. Chuang, Tamarra (27 April 2021). "Amazon's first electric vans started delivering packages in the Denver area this week". Colorado Sun. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  14. "Rivian Q4 2021 Shareholder Letter" (PDF). Rivian Automotive. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  15. "Amazon begins deploying its Rivian electric delivery vehicles". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  16. Iliff, Laurence (July 21, 2022). "Rivian rolls out its first batch of electric Amazon delivery vans". Automotive News. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  17. Hawkins, Andrew J. (November 7, 2022). "Amazon says it has 'over a thousand' Rivian electric vans making deliveries in the US". The Verge. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
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  20. Segura, Eleonor (October 22, 2021). "2022 Rivian Amazon Prime Van Model Names and Trims Revealed". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  21. O'Kane, Sean (November 8, 2021). "Rivian will start selling electric vans to non-Amazon companies in 2023". The Verge. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  22. Roth, Emma (March 13, 2023). "Amazon and Rivian's exclusive deal for electric vans might not last much longer". The Verge. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  23. Ruffo, Gustavo Henrique (7 February 2022). "Rivian Delivery Vans Will Have Three Derivatives - EDV 500, 700, and 900". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  24. Markus, Frank (8 July 2021). "Future Cars: 2022 Rivian Amazon Prime Van Is One Special Delivery Vehicle". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  25. Feder, Joel (January 3, 2023). "Rivian EDV: All about electric vans for Amazon and beyond". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  26. Tracy, David (April 21, 2022). "What I Found When I Crawled Under Rivian's Amazon Delivery Van". The Autopian. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  27. "Fleet: Rivian Commercial Van specifications". Rivian. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  28. Seabaugh, Christian; Schlotterlein, Andrew (photographer) (November 24, 2022). "Take a Look Inside Amazon's New Rivian Delivery Van". Motor Trend. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  29. "Q1 2023 Shareholder Letter". Rivian Automotive. April 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  30. Iliff, Laurence (April 14, 2023). "Rivian shifts to in-house motors to boost production". Automotive News. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  31. Mihalascu, Dan (February 24, 2023). "Rivian Starts Production Of Enduro Motors For Dual-Motor AWD Models". Inside EVs. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  32. Kolodny, Lora (March 10, 2022). "Rivian will follow Tesla and change the type of battery cells it uses in standard packs". CNBC. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  33. Markus, Frank (February 17, 2021). "Amazon's Rivian Prime Electric Delivery Van Deep Dive: What's in the Box". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  34. Golson, Daniel (December 16, 2021). "Rivian's Amazon delivery van has 201-mile range, will spawn smaller van". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  35. Lin, Kelly (October 8, 2020). "Rivian's Amazon Delivery Van Finally Hits the Road in New Video". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  36. Andy Jassy; R. J. Scaringe (July 22, 2022). "Amazon and Rivian CEOs on innovating to protect the planet" (Interview). About Amazon. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
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