Amazon has announced that its fleet of Rivian electric delivery vans (EDVs) has grown to over 3,000 vehicles in operation across the United States, up from the 1,000 reported in November last year. While the figure is still short of Amazon’s initial goal of having 10,000 EDVs on the road by the end of 2022, the company remains committed to having 100,000 EDVs in operation by 2030.
The online retail giant first started using the Rivian EDVs in the summer of 2022 and reports that they have delivered over 75 million packages in more than 500 cities and regions across the country. The company also announced that it has deployed more than 15 different types of electric vehicles, including e-cargo bikes, e-rickshaws, and other delivery vehicles, across the U.S., the European Union, and India to test and learn from.
While the expansion of Amazon’s electric delivery van fleet has been slower than expected, Rivian has negotiated with Amazon to end the exclusivity deal outlined in their 2019 agreement. Under the original terms, Amazon had exclusive access to the EDVs for four years after the first delivery, but only if the company purchased 10,000 EDVs within the first two years. Rivian is reportedly seeking to end the exclusivity part of the deal, as Amazon is only looking to purchase an additional 10,000 EDVs this year.
Overall, Amazon’s commitment to electric vehicles is a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. With the growth of its EDV fleet and ongoing testing of various electric vehicles, Amazon is helping to pave the way for a more sustainable future in delivery logistics.
