E-commerce giant Amazon has announced the deployment of its Rivian-manufactured Electric Delivery Vehicles (EDVs) in Europe, starting with its German subsidiary. The first batch of over 300 Amazon EDVs will be operational in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich in the coming weeks. These new electric vans will supplement the existing fleet of 1,000 electric vehicles from various brands already in use by the company in Germany.
Neil Emery, Director Global Fleet & Product at Amazon, highlighted the collaborative effort between Amazon and Rivian in developing a cutting-edge electric vehicle tailored specifically for delivery purposes. Emery stated that the vehicle prioritizes driver safety and comfort, setting new standards in these areas.
While Amazon currently operates over 3,000 EDVs across 500 cities and regions in the United States, the European version of the vehicle differs slightly. According to Rivian, the European EDV, known as EDV 500, is shorter and narrower compared to its American counterpart, EDV 700. The EDV 500 measures 248 inches (6,300 millimeters) in length and has a wheelbase of 157 inches (4,000 mm), whereas the EDV 700 spans 277 inches (7,000 mm) in length with a wheelbase of 187 inches (4,700 mm). Additionally, the EDV 500 is 7 inches (180 mm) narrower than the EDV 700.
Amazon revealed that pre-release versions of the European-spec EDVs have undergone extensive testing by drivers in Germany since last year. This rigorous testing allowed Rivian to optimize the vehicle’s performance, safety, and durability across various weather and geographical conditions.
The company has made improvements to the EDV’s features to enhance driver satisfaction and overall functionality. The European EDV 500 includes advanced safety features such as a collision-warning system, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, automatic door locks, a powered bulkhead, and a dedicated software package.
Last year, Amazon successfully delivered over 45 million packages in Germany using electric vans and e-cargo bikes. The introduction of the Rivian EDVs will further support the company’s commitment to sustainable delivery practices.
Amazon has outlined plans to invest over $1.09 billion (1 billion euros) in electrifying its European transportation network and reducing CO2 emissions in the coming years. Germany alone will receive more than $436 million (400 million euros) of this investment.
As part of its Climate Pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, Amazon placed an order for 100,000 Rivian EDVs in September 2019. Rivian is obligated to deliver the entire fleet by 2030 as per the terms of the agreement.
