Amazon's Electric Vans Come From Rivian, a Separate EV Company
Amazon does not manufacture its own electric delivery vans. Instead, Amazon ordered 100,000 electric vans from Rivian, an independent electric vehicle manufacturer founded in 2009. Rivian builds the vans to Amazon's specifications, and Amazon began receiving them in 2022. The vans are called the Rivian Electric Delivery Vehicle, or EDV.
Rivian is a publicly traded company that also makes electric pickup trucks and SUVs for consumers. The company operates manufacturing plants in Illinois and Georgia. Amazon is Rivian's largest customer by far — the 100,000-van order represents the bulk of Rivian's production capacity for the next several years.
This arrangement is common in logistics: large companies like Amazon often contract with specialized manufacturers rather than building vehicles in-house. Amazon focuses on delivery operations and customer service, while Rivian handles the engineering and production of the vehicles themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Rivian, an independent electric vehicle company, manufactures Amazon's delivery vans under a 100,000-unit contract that began in 2022.
- The vans are purpose-built for last-mile delivery, with features like a large cargo area, driver-friendly controls, and integrated technology for route management.
- Rivian operates factories in Illinois and Georgia, with the Illinois plant as the primary production site for Amazon's delivery vehicles.
- Amazon's investment in Rivian and the large order helped fund Rivian's expansion, though Rivian also manufactures consumer electric vehicles separately.
What the Rivian Electric Delivery Vehicle Actually Is
The Rivian EDV is a purpose-built van, not a converted consumer vehicle. It has a flat floor for easier loading and unloading, a large cargo area that can hold roughly 600 cubic feet of packages, and a driver cabin designed for frequent stops. The van includes a powered lift gate, climate control in the cargo area, and a camera system so drivers can see around the vehicle.
The van runs on a battery pack that gives it a range of roughly 150 miles per charge, depending on driving conditions and load. This range is sufficient for typical Amazon delivery routes, which often cover 100 to 120 miles in a day. Drivers charge the vans overnight at Amazon delivery stations or at Rivian charging hubs.
The interior is stripped down compared to a consumer vehicle — there is no back seat or passenger comfort features. Everything is designed around the job of delivering packages efficiently and safely. The dashboard includes a touchscreen that connects to Amazon's routing software, so drivers see their delivery sequence and can mark packages as delivered in real time.
How Amazon and Rivian's Partnership Works
Amazon announced its order for 100,000 Rivian vans in 2019, before Rivian had even begun mass production of any vehicle. This was a major bet by Amazon on both Rivian's ability to deliver and on electric vehicle technology for last-mile logistics. Amazon also invested $1.2 billion directly into Rivian as part of the deal, giving Amazon a stake in the company's success.
Rivian uses the revenue and capital from Amazon's order to fund its own operations and expansion. In return, Amazon gets vans built to its exact specifications at a negotiated price. The contract includes delivery milestones — Rivian committed to delivering a certain number of vans each year, though the timeline has shifted as Rivian scaled up production.
The partnership benefits both companies. Amazon gets a fleet of purpose-built electric vans without the capital expense and operational complexity of running a manufacturing plant. Rivian gets a may provide customer and the cash flow to develop its consumer vehicle business. However, the relationship is not exclusive — Rivian also sells its consumer vehicles and has discussed selling EDVs to other delivery companies in the future.
Where Rivian Manufactures the Vans
Rivian's primary manufacturing facility for Amazon's delivery vans is in Normal, Illinois. This plant was originally built by Mitsubishi and later used by Chrysler; Rivian acquired it in 2017. The Illinois facility has the capacity to produce tens of thousands of vehicles per year and is the main production site for the EDV.
Rivian also operates a factory in Atoka, Georgia, which opened in 2024. The Georgia plant is newer and is being ramped up to increase total production capacity. Both plants use similar manufacturing processes and quality control standards, so vans from either location meet the same specifications.
Production has ramped up gradually. In 2022, Amazon received a few hundred vans. By 2023 and 2024, deliveries increased to thousands per year. Rivian has publicly stated that it is working toward the full 100,000-unit order, though the timeline extends into the late 2020s.
Why Amazon Chose Electric Vans and What It Means
Amazon committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and made electrifying its delivery fleet a core part of that goal. Traditional diesel delivery vans produce significant emissions, especially in cities where Amazon makes most of its deliveries. Electric vans produce zero tailpipe emissions and are quieter, which reduces noise pollution in residential neighborhoods.
The shift to electric also has operational benefits. Electric motors require less maintenance than combustion engines — there are no oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission fluid. Over the life of a vehicle, this can reduce operating costs. Electricity is also cheaper than diesel fuel in most markets, though the upfront cost of an electric van is higher than a comparable diesel vehicle.
Amazon's scale matters here. By ordering 100,000 vans, Amazon created enough demand to justify Rivian's investment in manufacturing capacity. Without that large order, Rivian might not have been able to build a factory dedicated to delivery vehicles. This is how large corporate commitments can shift entire industries toward cleaner technology.
What Happens to Older Amazon Delivery Vans
Amazon still operates hundreds of thousands of traditional diesel and gasoline delivery vans alongside the new Rivian electric vans. The company is not retiring its entire fleet at once — that would be logistically impossible and financially wasteful. Instead, Amazon is gradually replacing vans as they reach the end of their useful life or as new Rivian vans become available.
Older vans are typically sold to used vehicle dealers, auction houses, or other delivery companies that buy used commercial vehicles. Some are refurbished and resold; others are eventually scrapped. Amazon does not operate a large secondary market for its own used vans — it straightforward sells them through standard commercial vehicle channels.
The transition to electric will take years. Even with 100,000 Rivian vans on order, Amazon's total delivery fleet is much larger. The company will likely continue using traditional vans for routes where electric vans are not yet practical, such as very long-distance deliveries or areas with limited charging infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Rivian electric delivery van for my own business?
Rivian has not yet opened the EDV to general sales. The vans are currently built exclusively for Amazon under their contract. Rivian has indicated interest in selling EDVs to other delivery companies in the future, but no timeline or pricing has been announced. You would need to contact Rivian directly for current information about availability.
How long does it take to charge a Rivian delivery van?
A full charge typically takes 8 to 10 hours using a standard Level 2 charger (the kind installed at most Amazon delivery stations). Faster DC fast chargers can charge the van to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes, though this is less common at delivery hubs. Most vans are charged overnight when they are not in use.
What happens if a Rivian van runs out of battery during a delivery route?
Amazon's routing software is designed to prevent this. The system calculates each route based on the van's range and charging locations, ensuring drivers can complete their deliveries and return to a charging station. If a driver is concerned about battery level, they can contact their manager to adjust the route or return early to charge.
Are Rivian delivery vans more expensive than traditional vans?
Yes, the upfront purchase price of a Rivian EDV is higher than a comparable diesel van. However, lower fuel and maintenance costs over the vehicle's lifetime can offset the higher initial cost. Amazon's decision to order 100,000 vans was based partly on the long-term economics of electric vehicles, not just environmental goals.
Will Amazon's Rivian vans be used for Prime deliveries in my area?
Rivian vans are being deployed across Amazon's delivery network, but availability varies by region. Urban and suburban areas typically see them first because delivery routes are shorter and charging infrastructure is more developed. Rural areas may take longer to transition to electric vans. You may see a Rivian van on your street, but it depends on your location and local delivery demand.