In a move aimed at bolstering its customer service capabilities, Rivian has commenced the utilization of its large commercial vans, initially built for Amazon, as mobile service vehicles. These vans, known as Rivian Service Vans, offer superior cargo capacity of 500 cubic feet, making them more suitable for the task compared to the R1T pickup trucks that were previously utilized for light service jobs in the field.
The advantage of the Rivian Service Van lies in its ability to handle heavier and bulkier hardware, while also offering customization options to accommodate various mobile service requirements, such as wheel and tire replacements. Equipped with a wheel balancer, automatic tire changer, air compressor, hydraulic jack and stands, as well as modular shelving stocked with parts and tools, each van is fully prepared to undertake 80 percent of all labor codes. Additionally, these vans feature a dedicated 240v outlet for vehicle-to-vehicle charging.
Rivian plans to expand its mobile service fleet to over 200 Rivian Service Vans by the year’s end, a significant increase from the approximately 100 R1T service trucks currently in operation. These vehicles will be responsible for providing maintenance, repair, vehicle-to-vehicle charging, and a range of other mobile service needs for over 35,000 Rivian vehicles.
Our fleet of all-electric Rivian Service Vans is growing alongside our network of Service Centers. Hundreds of these vehicles are hitting the road this year, taking care of 80% of service and maintenance items, including vehicle-to-vehicle charging. https://t.co/VImfNXVvbg pic.twitter.com/vU1FMzjO5a
— Rivian (@Rivian) May 19, 2023
Unlike traditional automakers that rely on dealerships for vehicle sales and service, Rivian adopts a direct-to-consumer model with a limited number of physical service locations. Therefore, mobile service plays a crucial role in ensuring a satisfactory ownership experience. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe emphasized this point in a recent Instagram video, where he mentioned the company’s efforts to establish an extensive service network. He highlighted that while Rivian presently operates around 35 physical service locations, the majority of their service operations are carried out through mobile service vans and trucks.
During the video, Scaringe briefly showcased one of the new Rivian Service Vans, which sport a white exterior and nature-themed graphics on the rear. The CEO noted that the van’s interior can be tailored to suit different service equipment requirements, offering further flexibility to meet diverse needs.
Rivian manufactures these electric vans at its facility in Normal, Illinois, alongside the R1T pickup trucks and R1S SUVs. Looking beyond their collaboration with Amazon, the company aims to expand the market for its electric delivery van by catering to additional commercial customers. To this end, Rivian is reportedly seeking to revise the exclusivity clause in its electric van deal with the e-commerce giant.
Mobile Service Vans getting prepped for deployment! pic.twitter.com/nn4Nh5I5Cz
— RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) June 2, 2023
I love our Mobile Service Vans! pic.twitter.com/L2TCpbExRm
— RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) May 13, 2023
