Rivian has made a name for itself in the electric delivery van market, thanks to its substantial order from Amazon for 100,000 electric delivery vans (EDVs). The order has allowed Rivian to continue ramping up production considerably. Now, the automaker’s newest van variant, the EDV 500, has been spotted on public roads.
The Rivian EDV 500 is the smallest van offering from the company and is set to hit the market in the first half of this year. It was recently spotted by Instagram user kindelauto. Unlike its larger siblings, the EDV 500 has a body made up of three visible sections instead of four.
Rivian plans to release three EDV variants – the 500, 700, and 900 – but has only delivered the 700 to Amazon thus far. It’s unclear how Amazon’s order breaks down by van size, but it’s likely that the 700 constitutes the majority of orders due to its size and range.
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According to Rivian, the EDV 500 will have roughly 150 miles of range – similar to the EDV 700 – but with a slightly smaller cargo capacity of 500 cubic feet. The EDV 500’s shorter wheelbase could make it a better choice for Amazon delivery drivers who need superior maneuverability or slightly improved range and don’t have much cargo.
See also: Rivian and Mercedes-Benz pauses plans to produce electric commercial vans in Europe
Amazon drivers have already given the Rivian platform high praise, mainly due to its delivery design focus, which includes helpful features like automatically opening doors at stop locations, keyless start and remote locking, and much more.
Rivian’s final variant of the EDV that it will deliver to Amazon, the EDV 900, is the largest capacity van the company will produce. It has yet to make its way to production, but it’s expected to do so soon after the introduction of the EDV 500.
See also: Rivian in Talks with Amazon to End Exclusivity Clause in EV Van Deal
Rivian hopes to escape its exclusivity agreement with Amazon, which prohibits the automaker from selling its vans to other buyers. As a result, we may see an increasing number of Rivian vans as part of other retail delivery fleets, such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
