Amazon
- Amazon unveiled the first of its three custom electric delivery vehicles made by California-based Rivian on Thursday morning.
- The vans would hit the road in 2021, it said, and can last up to 150 miles on a single charge.
- The vehicles are Alexa-integrated, and have multiple exterior cameras to give the driver a 360-degree view of their surroundings.
- The custom vans also include a “dancefloor” inside the driver’s cabin, Amazon added — likely referring to the open space where the driver can move around.
- Amazon aims to have 10,000 of these vans in operation as early as 2022, and 100,000 by 2030.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Amazon unveiled its first custom electric delivery vehicle on Thursday morning – and it plans to have 100,000 on the road within a decade.
The vehicles are made by California-based Rivian, and Amazon is aiming to deploy the first of them in 2021. The firm told Business Insider the vehicles can last up to 150 miles on a single charge.
Drivers would be able to use Amazon’s integrated AI software Alexa to access route, traffic, and weather information hands-free, the company said.
The vehicles also have exterior cameras linked to a display, giving the driver a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Amazon added that the vehicles have a “dancefloor” inside the driver’s cabin for easy movement inside the van, but did not elaborate.
Amazon aims to have 10,000 of the vans in operation as early as 2022, and 100,000 by 2030.
The e-commerce giant designed and built the vehicle in partnership with electric vehicle maker Rivian. The companies first announced the partnership in February, and are working together to develop two other electric vehicle models.
Amazon partnered with Rivian after being unable to find suitable electric vehicles on the market, it said.
The announcement of the partnership in February attracted new investors to Rivian, which has raised more money than any other EV startup that hasn't gone public. In August, three of Rivian's investors told Business Insider why they're betting on the company to become the next Tesla.
The electric vehicles form part of Amazon's climate pledge: It is aiming for zero net carbon by 2040.
In August, Amazon ordered 1,800 Mercedes-Benz electric vans for European deliveries, which will be on the roads by the end of 2020.