While the R1T and R1S electric trucks are leading the way in Rivian and their outdoor lifestyle has always been at the forefront, the Rivian EDV electric delivery vans have always been a priority.
As for why, look no further than one of the top retailers in the world. In 2019 Amazon announced it ordered 100,000 electric trucks from Rivian as part of a $440 million investment in the startup automaker. Amazon’s importance to Rivian goes beyond that: Before Rivian’s IPO, Amazon owned a 20% stake in the electric truck maker.
Those trucks go out to start delivering Prime in 2021. This is just the beginning of the big B2B arm of Rivian’s future business.
We sat down with John Woodmore, senior director of commercial vehicle lines at Rivian, to discuss electric delivery truck, called EDV, how it all comes together and possible future product line expansion in both hardware and software. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Rivian EDV700
There will be at least three valve variants
Currently, all EDVs that have been delivered to Amazon are EDV700 models, the longer, larger of the two original models. An EDV500 is currently in testing and will launch in Q1 2023. The third model Woodmore is willing to confirm is the EDV900, but it’s a larger product that he won’t discuss much.
Each model name refers to the valve’s nominal cubic capacity for cargo handling.
The EDV700, the truck currently rolling out to deliver Amazon packages, looks almost identical to the upcoming EDV500. A keen eye will spot the difference. The longer EV700 has four panels on the side while the EDV500 will have only three with the middle plate becoming one large piece of metal. 500 will be 7 inches narrower and 14 inches shorter and lighter.
Rivian didn’t talk about a weight limit for either truck, but Woodmore told Green Car Reports that the weight difference between the 500 and 700 models would be more than 400 pounds.
Attention to detail and quick to move on, Woodmore only said that the EDV900 introduction “is in the future”. Rivian is still working on when the right time is to introduce that to Amazon. Details are still being worked out for this model.
Rivian single-motor electric drive unit
Drive units and battery chemistry
Currently every EDV700 delivered is powered by two Actuator made by Bosch found on the front axle of the R1T electric truck along with the same 135 kWh battery pack.
Rivian won’t talk about power output. Woodmore notes that power output is reduced to “something more suitable for a commercial vehicle.” In the R1T, the front-axle-mounted engines make 415 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
Rivian battery pack
That 135 kwh battery pack is using the same NCA chemistry and 2170 format small Samsung SDI cylindrical cells as the R1T.
Engine developed and built by Rivian, part of modular drive unit The company has been previewed, is currently in development, and will be operational by the end of the first quarter, according to Woodmore.
With the introduction of new engines built by Rivian, the EDVs will switch to an engine design with the new engine still powering the front axle. This move will combine with Rivian’s new move LFP . battery pack chemistrywill also launch the R1T electric truck and R1S electric SUV with dual-engine models in mid-2023.
There will be no mixing and matching between an existing NCA chemical battery pack and a motor. Every single electric motor truck built by Rivian will be powered by a battery pack with LFP chemistry.
None of the three trucks currently in production or scheduled for future production will have four- or all-wheel drive. According to Woodmore, no engine is planned for the rear axle. This is because it is easier to drive in the snow if the front axle is driven instead of the rear axle.
Rivian EDV700
How much range?
The best way to describe the scope of EDV is “it’s complicated.”
The EDV700 currently has a 201-mile range on EPA cycles, but Rivian chooses to limit its charging status and software locking the truck to 150 miles. Why? request by Amazon. That’s all the scope Amazon feels its drivers need.
When single-engine EDVs launch in Q1 2023, the LFP battery packs will be smaller 100 kWh packs. Those vans will have a true range of 150 miles.
The charging port is located in front of the driver like the R1T and R1S, but it has a non-motorized door. The hardware, software, and charging curves are the same as those found in its truck and SUV cousins. According to Woodmore, the EDV is capable of AC and DC fast charging, although the charging speed is slightly reduced compared to consumer applications due to the use case.
The R1T and R1S are currently capable of recharging at more than 200 kW, but Woodmore said Rivian did not stress test the EDV’s system at 200 kW. Rivian has said that in the future with OTA updates and system enhancements, trucks and SUVs will get closer to the 300 kW charging speed mark, but Woodmore said that wasn’t on EDV’s roadmap at the time. this point.
Rivian EDV700
Software
There are two levels of software in EDV.
There’s an Amazon delivery app on the driver’s phone. When the driver arrives at the EDV, they will scan the QR code and this will pair the device containing their route with the vehicle. At that point, the transfer takes place and the driver will use the truck’s interface. To make the system work, drivers will need both a phone with the Amazon driver app and a van.
Rivian EDV700
Today, drivers only need their phones while driving other trucks, but it’s a small screen. EDV’s handover from phone to main screen—the same 15.6-inch touchscreen found in the R1T and R1S and tilted towards the driver in the EDV app—will make the driver safer with larger screen. Turn directions are reflected on the digital gauge cluster, which is the same 12.3-inch cluster found in the R1T and R1S.
When the driver arrives at the delivery point, they can press a digital button on the touchscreen that says “I am here” and the delivery address and the name of the parcel recipient will expand across the entire 15.6-inch screen so the driver can see it from behind the vehicle while looking at the packages.
EDVs for non-Amazon customers will still have FleetOS, which has not been detailed, but not an Amazon-specific app. The Amazon app itself contains its own navigation app, but Rivan said it could include its own navigation app or a customer-specific app containing its own mapping system or app without crash.
Rivian EDV700
Designed by and for Amazon
Every truck has a driver’s seat along with a passenger-side jumper. Jump seats are for training purposes or when a truck has a really high load and needs two riders.
Each van features USB-A and USB-C charging ports for smartphone charging, a mounting bracket below the touchscreen for gloves, hats and/or smartphones, and a range of handles for exiting into the car. van easier for the driver. There are two large cup holders to the left of the digital gauge cluster, a storage compartment and more cup holders behind the driver’s seat.
One of the most interesting functions is the automatic electric sliding door between the cockpit and the cargo area that automatically opens and closes when the vehicle is parked and driven. It acts as an obstacle so that packages cannot get into the cockpit, and saves time by automatically opening and closing. Seconds matter when delivering all-day packages.
Rivian EDV700
Getting in and out of the EDV is easy thanks to the two-step design on the front passenger side. Rubber and grip materials help the driver when getting in and out.
Automatic emergency braking comes standard as well as a driver attention monitoring system. There is a camera system (mostly shared with the R1T but in a different location from the other housing) mounted on the driver’s side A-pillar. It watches the driver’s eyes to make sure they’re paying attention to the road ahead.
Rivian EDV700
Rivian EDV700
In the cargo space, the shelves are designed specifically for Amazon to their specifications, and they fold to accommodate taller packages. The size fits Amazon packages and the floor is rubber coated. Amazon even gave their selected packaged doll, made by Milwaukee, to Rivian and asked them to make sure there was a built-in doll-specific memory available. Yes, on the driver’s side at the back of the cargo area.
Rivian EDV700
The front end is simple and Amazon-branded, although it could be a trademark for any company. The two circular LED lights look fun and make the car look friendly. The rear has an LED taillight strip that runs two-thirds of the car’s rear contour, including the top of the cargo door, giving it a futuristic look.
Outside the Amazon-sphere; Rivian pauses Benz
So far, Rivian has only delivered EDV to Amazon. Woodmore confirmed the automaker will sell EDVs to other companies, without saying how many, when, or by customers.
In September, Rivian and Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership that will create Electric trucks together for Europe. That deal with Mercedes is delayed in December. Rivan said the pause is in effect so it can focus on existing trucks and consumer vehicles, though a partnership could be explored in the future.
Rivian has yet to talk about the cost of EDV in any way, publicly.
The two main competitors are Ford E-Transit and Mercedes-Benz eSprintertook slightly different approaches than Rivian.
Ford took the exact opposite tactic—a value-and- price focus method with a smaller battery pack, in a design that fits perfectly with existing equipment for the petrol Transit. Mercedes-Benz has gone in the opposite direction and has focus on efficiency and scope.
