Amazon reveals first customer electric delivery vehicle
In a bid to achieve net zero carbon by 2040, 10,000 Amazon custom electric delivery vehicles will be in operation and delivering to customers worldwide as early as 2022 and all 100,000 by 2030.
It is one of three different models that Amazon has invested in and completely customised with Rivian to enhance the driver experience and optimise safety.
“When we set out to create our first customised electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle. We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighbourhood and pulling it up to their home,” said Ross Rachey, Director of Amazon’s Global Fleet and Products. “We combined Rivian’s technology with our delivery logistics knowledge, and the result is what you see here - the future of last mile delivery.”
Amazon’s custom electric vehicle consists of industry leading safety, navigation and design features, which includes:
- State-of-the-art sensor detection, a suite of highway and traffic assist technology, and a large windshield to enhance driver visibility.
- Exterior cameras around the vehicle that are linked to a digital display inside the cabin to provide the driver with a 360-degree view outside the vehicle.
- Alexa integration for hands-free access to route information and the latest weather updates.
- A strengthened door on the driver’s side for added protection.
- A ‘dancefloor’ inside the driver’s cabin for easy movement inside the van.
- Bright tail lights surrounding the rear of the vehicle to easily detect braking.
- Three levels of shelving with a bulkhead door, which can easily be opened and closed for additional driver protection while on the road.
“The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric. We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery,” added RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO. “We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the work space feels like and what the workflow is for delivering packages.”
In order to support The Climate Pledge, Amazon is in the midst of transforming its logistics network worldwide by introducing new electrification solutions and leveraging alternative delivery methods. Amazon currently operates hundreds of electric vehicles worldwide and has invested in electric vehicle charging stations for its partners to use, with plans to expand this infrastructure. Amazon confirmed it is adding 1,800 electric delivery vehicles this year to its European fleet as well as adding 10,000 electric vehicles to its fleet in India, operating in more than 20 countries by 2025.
