Get ready to see more electric delivery vans in your neighborhood and on the roads. Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) company, will begin selling its large commercial delivery vans to customers outside of Amazon starting in February.
According to Erica Tsypin, director of fleet solutions at Rivian, the vans will offer reduced operating costs and enhanced security, thanks to their drivetrain and other innovative features. This information was shared during a demonstration at the Detroit Auto Show’s indoor EV test track.
At the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, the Rivian electric van’s signature halo headlights are already creating a buzz, making the vehicle easily recognizable.
In addition to the electric delivery vans, Rivian is also offering rides in its luxury R1T midsize pickup and R1S SUV until the show closes on January 20.
The starting price for the electric vans is $83,000, with Rivian promising considerable savings in operating costs, energy use, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Rivian commercial van, or RCV, shares a similar look and features with the vans Amazon currently uses. Amazon is a major investor in Rivian and has placed an order for 100,000 vans, with the first deliveries coming from the company’s assembly line in Normal, Illinois.
The Rivian commercial van has a modern design, featuring sleek lines and ultramodern exterior lighting.
Rivian is focusing on large fleet operators as it expands its customer base, according to Tsypin. Customers can expect to receive the Delivery 500 and the longer Delivery 700 vans starting this spring.
Key features of the vans include:
- A 15.6-inch center touch screen
- A low step-in height for easier entry and exit
- A convenient hand-hold for added accessibility
- Bright, recognizable LED headlights
- Rear halo safety lighting and taillights
- 360-degree cameras for parking and enhanced driver safety
- An automatic bulkhead door for secure and ergonomic cargo handling
- Brightly lit cargo space with up to 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom
- Energy-saving “microclimate seats” for all-weather comfort
The automatic bulkhead door is designed to open automatically when the driver shifts the van into park for unloading, then closes when the van is in drive. A proximity sensor ensures the door shuts if the driver walks far enough away to leave the cargo at risk.
The Rivian commercial van’s design also focuses on ergonomics, with a low step-in height and easy access handles for improved usability.
The vans are powered by a 100 kWh battery. The Delivery 500 has a range of 161 miles per charge, while the longer Delivery 700 can go 153 miles. The Delivery 500 measures 248.5 inches in length with a 157.5-inch wheelbase, while the Delivery 700 is 278 inches long with a 187-inch wheelbase.
Because the vans are used in shifts, most charging will be done overnight at depots using 240-volt current. At this rate, the batteries gain 17 miles of range per hour of charging and 86 miles per hour with a 50 kW DC fast charger.
The vans come with a CCS DC charging port as standard, along with an adapter for Tesla-style (NACS) chargers. Although Rivian’s R1T and R1S vehicles are transitioning to built-in NACS ports, the commercial vans will continue to feature CCS ports.
Amazon, which has made reducing its carbon footprint a priority, received the vans first due to its status as a significant Rivian investor and its commitment to purchasing 100,000 vans by 2030. In addition to Rivian, Amazon also buys electric vans from other manufacturers.
In 2024, Ford sold 12,160 electric E-Transit commercial vans, while Stellantis’ Ram truck brand sells ProMaster EV vans, although it does not provide specific sales numbers for electric versus internal combustion models.