Amazon releases behind-the-scenes video of Rivian electric van development

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Updated Feb 6, 2020
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(JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Amazon released a video this week showing the development of the new electric delivery van they’ve been designing with electric vehicle start-up Rivian.

The online retail giant signed up for 100,000 vans which Rivian expects to roll out next year in three size variants with various battery pack options.

“We’re at an inflection point in human history where our actions are shifting and fundamentally changing the nature of what this planet feels like to live, so we’re changing the climate,” Rivian founder RJ Scaringe said. “The time we have to make that shift is right now.”

A representative with Amazon clarified that Scaringe is referring to changing the climate of the transportation industry to increase EV adoption.

The largest single EV order to date is part of The Climate Pledge, Amazon’s commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. The pledge also calls on signatories to become net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Accord’s goal of 2050.

Amazon would not comment on load capabilities, charge times or plans for spent batteries following vehicle use.