Rivian Electric Van Highlights Unique Features as it Reaches for More Customers
Get ready to see more electric delivery vans on the road. Rivian will begin selling its commercial vans to customers beyond Amazon starting in February.
The Rivian electric van’s halo headlights are immediately recognizable.
On display at the 2025 Detroit auto show, the van’s features include lower costs and enhanced security, according to Erica Tsypin, director of fleet solutions. The van is part of Rivian’s exhibit, which also includes the R1T midsize pickup and R1S SUV.
Prices for the Rivian commercial van, also known as the RCV, start at $83,000. The company is promising significant savings in operating costs and energy, in addition to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The RCV looks and functions similarly to the vans Amazon is already using. The online retailer is a major Rivian investor, having ordered 100,000 vans. Amazon’s first Rivian vans came off the assembly line in Normal, Illinois.
The Rivian commercial van’s instrument cluster and 15.6-inch infotainment screen.
The RCVs have a modern look with ultramodern exterior lighting. Rivian is focusing on larger fleet operators as it expands sales; customers will begin receiving the Delivery 500 and Delivery 700 van models starting this spring.
Key features include:
- 15.6-inch center touch screen
- Low step-in height for easy entry and exit
- A convenient hand-hold for entry
- Bright and recognizable LED headlights
- Rear halo safety lighting and taillights
- 360-degree cameras for parking and driver safety
- Automatic bulkhead door for cargo security and ergonomics
- Brightly lit cargo space with up to 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom
- Energy-saving “microclimate seats”
The Rivian commercial van’s low step-in height and convenient handhold improve ergonomics.
The automatic bulkhead door slides open when the driver puts the vehicle in park and closes in Drive, and a proximity sensor closes it if the driver moves far enough away.
Charging Time and Range
The vans use a 100 kWh battery. The Delivery 500 can travel 161 miles on a single charge, while the Delivery 700 can go 153 miles. The 500 is 248.5 inches long and has a 157.5-inch wheelbase, while the 700 is 278 inches long with a 187-inch wheelbase.
Charging is typically done overnight with 240-volt current at depots. The batteries add 17 miles of range per hour at that rate, and 86 miles per hour with a 50kW DC fast charger. The vans currently come with a CCS DC charging port and an adapter for Tesla style, or NACS, chargers. While the R1T and R1S are adopting built-in NACS ports, the vans will continue to come with CCS ports.
Rivian commercial van’s 360-degree view helps with parking and driver security.
Amazon, which has made reducing its carbon footprint a priority, received the vans first because of its major investment in Rivian and commitment to purchase 100,000 vans by 2030. The retailer also buys electric vans from other automakers.
In 2024, Ford sold 12,160 electric E-Transit commercial vans. Stellantis’ Ram truck brand sells ProMaster EV vans but does not release separate sales figures for electric versus internal combustion models.
