Rivian
Rivan and Amazon’s adorable electric delivery van, the EDV, is hitting the streets, with the first 1,000 of 100,000 slated for production already in the hands of the e-commerce giant’s drivers. We were lucky enough to get up close to the EDV at the Rivian showroom in Venice, CA, and came away impressed with its design and new features. Here are 10 things we think make EDV cool and hopefully make for a better experience for Amazon road warriors.
Advertising – Continue Reading Below
The cute look of the EDV is no accident. Rivian’s designers wanted it to have a user-friendly look as it will be common in American neighborhoods. Instead of sporting a Rivian logo, Amazon’s is affixed to its mirror-finished black fascia.
The EDV is offered in two lengths, one intended to carry 500 cubic feet of packages and the other capable of carrying up to 700 cubic feet of cargo. The one shown here is the larger EDV700, but the EDV500 is essentially the same van with one less modular body panel. The entire van is designed to be easy to repair in the event of damage. For example, if the van is hit from behind, the rubberized plastic bumper can be easily replaced with an intact bumper at the depot.
High visibility taillights
Speaking of damage to the rear, the EDV’s unmistakable bright red taillight spans the entire van. Not only does this make the van more visible, but it also looks sleek and futuristic.
The bright blue color that Amazon uses on its website is also incorporated into the design of the EDV. It’s everywhere, from the Prime logo on the side of the pickup truck to the cabin trim and a big swatch of it covering the rear door area. Just inside the rear and right front doors of the pickup are thick grab handles painted the same color. The stripes on the seats and the details on the key fob also carry the theme.
Like at Rivian R1T and R1S models, the EDV sports a large infotainment touchscreen and digital gauge display. Amazon’s routing software is loaded instead of Rivian’s normal navigation software, but the rest is much the same as what you’ll find on the brand’s luxury electric trucks. The forward view can only be described as panoramic, and from this vantage point the driver can directly see what is in front of the EDV. A 360-degree camera system also helps improve visibility when maneuvering on city streets.
The EDV has many features to make the delivery driver’s job easier, including a bulkhead door that automatically closes if the driver locks the van doors. The seat is also very comfortable and can be adjusted to a wider variety of sitting positions than Ram ProMaster Van which is commonly used by Amazon drivers right now. The driver’s seat is heated and ventilated and the steering wheel is also heated, all in the name of driver comfort. Rivian also designed the cargo area to perfectly hold the specialized bins that Amazon uses to hold its packages.
Locking the doors is easy when you have the key fob attached to your pocket. The EDV key has an integrated clip and buttons on the top, making it easy to activate the remote locking feature without having to take the keys out of your pocket.
Trainees or delivery assistants can ride on this folding passenger seat. It’s surprisingly comfortable, and its position makes it easy to jump up and down to get a package to a customer’s porch. It even features a Prime blue seat belt, just like the driver’s side. There’s plenty of legroom for the passenger, too, and a cup holder is built into the molding at the base of the seat. When not in use, which most of the time it isn’t, the seat flips up and stores neatly out of the way.
All EDV models come with an integrated first aid kit under the passenger jump seat. Its location near the door makes it easy to reach and grab supplies if the driver needs a bandage or gauze.
Driver monitoring, but not the way you think
Being watched by Big Brother while you’re just trying to do your job sounds like a nightmare, but Rivian assures us that this A-pillar-mounted camera system only monitors for driver drowsiness or distraction as a safety measure. If it notices the driver is one of these things, it will alert with a suggestion to be careful or pull over for a break. Other EDV driver-assist features include lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.
We’ve spotted a few EDV700s on the road before, like this one that editor Joey Capparella found delivering packages in his New York neighborhood. Rivian says the vans can travel up to 150 miles before needing to be recharged, and Amazon depots are equipped with Level 2 charging stations so each can be powered up overnight for deliveries. without emissions the next day. The EDV has been designed to last 10 years or 330,000 miles before needing replacement, so once they’re on your route you can expect to see them for a long time to come.
Advertising – Continue Reading Below