Even supposing Rivian’s trend-setting R1T and R1S electrical vans and their outdoorsy way of life take best billing in headlines, Rivian EDV electrical supply trucks have at all times been a best precedence.
As for why, glance no additional than one of the vital best shops on the earth. In 2019 Amazon introduced it ordered 100,000 electrical trucks from Rivian as a part of a $440 million funding into the startup automaker. Amazon’s significance to Rivian is going well past that: Previous to Rivian’s IPO Amazon owned 20% of the electrical truck maker.
The ones trucks headed out at the highway to begin making Top deliveries in 2021. It’s only the start of a giant B2B arm of Rivian’s long term trade.
We sat down with John Woodmore, senior director for industrial automobile product traces at Rivian, to speak about the automaker’s electrical supply trucks, referred to as the EDV, the way it all got here in combination, and the longer term enlargement of the lineup each with regards to {hardware} and conceivable device. Right here’s what we realized.
Rivian EDV700
There shall be a minimum of 3 van variants
At the present all EDVs which were brought to Amazon were the EDV700 style, which is the longer, better, of the 2 preliminary fashions. An EDV500 is these days in trying out and can roll out in Q1 2023. The 3rd style Woodmore used to be keen to verify is an EDV900, however that’s a bigger product he wouldn’t speak about a lot.
Each and every style identify refers back to the van’s nominal cubic capability for hauling shipment.
The EDV700, which is the present van rolling round turning in Amazon programs, appears to be like just about similar to that of the approaching EDV500. A prepared eye will spot the diversities. The longer EV700 options 4 panels at the aspect whilst the EDV500 will most effective have 3 with the center panel changing into one massive piece of steel. The five hundred shall be seven inches narrower and 14 inches shorter, in addition to lighter.
Rivian isn’t speaking curb weight of both van, however Woodmore instructed Inexperienced Automobile Stories the burden distinction between the five hundred and 700 style shall be greater than 400 kilos.
Gentle on main points and fast to transport on, Woodmore would most effective say the EDV900 advent “is someday.” Rivian’s nonetheless running via when the proper level is to introduce that with Amazon. Main points are nonetheless being labored out for this style.
Rivian single-motor electrical force unit
Power gadgets and battery chemistry
These days each and every EDV700 delivered is powered via the 2 Bosch-made force gadgets discovered at the R1T electrical truck’s entrance axle in conjunction with the similar 135-kwh battery pack.
Rivian gained’t communicate energy output. Woodmore famous the facility output is derated to “one thing that’s extra good enough for a industrial automobile.” Within the R1T, the entrance axle-mounted motors are rated at 415 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
Rivian battery pack
That 135-kwh battery pack is the use of the similar NCA chemistry and small 2170-format Samsung SDI cylindrical cells because the R1T.
Rivian-developed and constructed motors, a part of new modular force gadgets the corporate has been previewing, are these days below construction and can come on-line via the top of Q1, consistent with Woodmore.
With the advent of the brand new Rivian-built motors the EDVs will transfer to a single-motor design with the brand new motor nonetheless powering the entrance axle. This transfer will pair with Rivian’s new LFP battery pack chemistry, which may be going into the R1T electrical truck and R1S electrical SUV with the dual-motor fashions in mid-2023.
There shall be no mix and matching of the single-motor and present NCA chemistry battery pack. Each van with the one Rivian-built electrical motor shall be powered via the battery pack with LFP chemistry.
Not one of the 3 trucks these days in manufacturing or set for long term manufacturing can have four-wheel force or all-wheel force. No motors are deliberate for the rear axle, consistent with Woodmore. That is because of it being more straightforward for using in snow and ice if the entrance axle is pushed fairly than the rear.
Rivian EDV700
How a lot vary?
One of the best ways to explain the EDV’s vary is “it’s sophisticated.”
These days the EDV700 has 201 miles of vary via the EPA cycle, however Rivian chooses to limit the state of rate, and device locks the trucks to 150 miles of vary. Why? Amazon’s request. That’s all of the vary Amazon feels its drivers want.
When the single-motor EDVs come on-line in Q1 2023 the LFP battery packs shall be smaller 100-kwh packs. The ones trucks can have a real 150 miles of vary.
The rate port is situated at the entrance motive force aspect just like the R1T and R1S, nevertheless it includes a non-motorized door. The charging {hardware}, device, and rate curve is equal to what’s present in its truck and SUV cousins. The EDV is in a position to AC and DC fast-charging, even if the rate charges are reasonably decreased from the shopper programs as a result of the use case, consistent with Woodmore.
The R1T and R1S are these days in a position to recharging at a charge of over 200 kw, however Woodmore stated Rivian hasn’t stress-tested the EDV’s machine to the 200-kw charge. Rivian has stated someday with OTA updates and machine refinements the truck and SUV must get nearer to the 300-kw rate charge mark, however Woodmore stated that’s no longer at the EDV’s roadmap presently.
Rivian EDV700
Instrument
There are two ranges of device within the EDV.
There’s an Amazon supply app at the motive force’s telephone. When the driving force involves the EDV they’ll scan a QR code and that may pair their software, which comprises their course, to the automobile. At that time a handoff takes position and the driving force then makes use of the van’s interface. To make the machine paintings the driving force will want each the telephone with the Amazon motive force app and the van.
Rivian EDV700
These days the driving force simply wishes the telephone whilst using different trucks, however that’s a small display screen. The EDV’s handoff from the telephone to the primary display screen—which is similar 15.6-inch touchscreen discovered within the R1T and R1S and is angled against the driving force within the EDV utility—must make it more secure for the driving force with the bigger show. The turn-by-turn instructions are reflected onto the virtual gauge cluster, which is similar 12.3-inch cluster discovered within the R1T and R1S.
As soon as a motive force arrives on the supply prevent they may be able to push a virtual button at the touchscreen that claims “I’m right here” and the supply deal with and identify of the individual getting the parcel expands throughout all the 15.6-inch display screen so the driving force can see it from the again of the van whilst taking a look on the programs.
EDVs for non-Amazon shoppers will nonetheless have FleetOS, which hasn’t been detailed but, however no longer the Amazon-specific app. The Amazon app itself comprises its personal navigation app, however Rivan stated it will possibly come with its personal navigation app or a customer-specific app containing their very own mapping machine or apps with out factor.
Rivian EDV700
Designed via and for Amazon
Each and every van has a motive force seat in conjunction with a passenger-side bounce seat. The bounce seat is there for coaching functions or when a van has truly prime a lot and wishes two drivers.
Each and every van includes a USB-A and USB-C rate port to stay the smartphone charged, a shelf fastened underneath the touchscreen for gloves, hats, and/or the smartphone, and a bevy of take hold of handles to make getting out and in of the van more straightforward for the driving force. There are two massive cupholders to the left of the virtual gauge cluster, and a garage cubby and extra cupholders at the back of the driving force’s seat.
Some of the coolest purposes is an automated energy sliding door between the cab and the shipment house that mechanically opens and closes when the van is installed park and or force. It acts as a barricade so programs can’t fly into the cab, but in addition saves time via mechanically opening and shutting. Seconds topic when turning in programs all day.
Rivian EDV700
Getting out and in of the EDV is straightforward because of a two-step design at the entrance passenger aspect. Rubber and grippy fabrics assist drivers when getting out and in.
Automated emergency braking comes same old as does a motive force consideration tracking machine. There’s a digicam machine (most commonly shared with the R1T however in a unique location with a unique housing) fastened at the driver-side A-pillar. It watches the driving force’s eyes to make sure they’re being attentive to the street forward.
Rivian EDV700
Rivian EDV700
Within the shipment area the cabinets had been designed particularly for Amazon to their specifications, they usually fold as much as accommodate taller programs. The size fit Amazon’s bundle totes, and the ground’s rubberized. Amazon even gave their selected bundle dollie, which is made via Milwaukee, to Rivian and requested them to make sure there’s particular onboard garage integrated for the dollie. There’s, at the motive force aspect at the back of the shipment house.
Rivian EDV700
Outdoor the entrance is unassuming and Amazon-branded, despite the fact that it might be branded for any corporate. The 2 round LED lighting are glad taking a look and make the van glance pleasant. The rear has an LED taillight strip that runs two-thirds of the van’s rear define, together with excessive of the shipment door, giving off a futuristic glance.
Outdoor the Amazon-sphere; Rivian places Benz on dangle
Up to now Rivian has most effective delivered EDVs to Amazon. Woodmore showed the automaker will promote the EDVs to different firms, preventing in need of speaking about volumes, timelines, and shoppers.
In September Rivian and Mercedes-Benz introduced a partnership that may make electrical trucks in combination for Europe. That handle Mercedes used to be placed on dangle in December. Rivan stated the pause went into impact so it might center of attention on current van and client cars, despite the fact that the partnership might be explored someday.
Rivian isn’t speaking about how a lot the EDV prices in any shape, publicly, but.
The 2 major competition, the Ford E-Transit and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, have taken reasonably other approaches than Rivian.
Ford’s taken relatively the other tack—a value- and pricing-focused method with a smaller battery pack, in a design that fits up completely with current upfits for the gas Transit. Mercedes-Benz went the wrong way and has desirous about potency and vary.
