Amazon has debuted its first “state-of-the-art” electric delivery vans developed in partnership with Rivian featuring “industry leading safety, navigation and design features”.
Amazon first unveiled the prototype model of its new EV delivery vans in February, but has now received its first completed model, understood to be one of three in development with Rivian.
The van, which is expected to begin making deliveries next year, comes with cutting edge sensor detection technology and a suite of digital highway and traffic assist features.
Each will also be equipped with numerous digital cameras to provide drivers with 360-degree view of the outside of their vehicles on a digital display.
Of course, as an Amazon branded vehicle, each comes with inbuilt Alexa integration allowing drivers to access hand free route and weather information.
“The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric,” Rivian’s chief executive RJ Scaringe said.
“We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery.
READ MORE: Amazon unveils new high-tech electric delivery fleet
“We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the work space feels like and what the work flow is for delivering packages.”
Eventually Amazon will deploy 100,000 of Rivian’s EV delivery vehicles across its global logistics network, aiming to create the “most sustainable transportation fleet in the world” by 2030.
This forms part of its wider Climate Pledge, which has seen Amazon commit to becoming net zero carbon across its operations by 2040.
It is reportedly adding 1800 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet this year in Europe, alongside 10,000 in India, though these are not expected to be Rivian’s vans just yet.
Click here to sign up to Charged‘s free daily email newsletter
