E-commerce large Amazon has begun deploying its Rivian-made Electrical Supply Car (EDV) to Europe, with the German subsidiary being the primary to get the electrical van.

The 300+ Amazon EDVs shipped to Germany will function from Amazon websites in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich within the subsequent few weeks, including to the prevailing 1,000 electrical vans from different manufacturers which can be already a part of the corporate’s fleet within the nation.

“Collectively, Amazon and Rivian have developed and produced a state-of-the-art electrical car from scratch. It is in contrast to something at present on the street. The protection and luxury of our companion drivers have the very best precedence for us. With the car that we’re presenting in Germany right this moment, we’re setting new requirements when it comes to each points.”

Neil Emery, Director World Fleet & Product at Amazon

Whereas the 3,000 EDVs that at present function in 500 US cities and areas are each in EDV 500 and EDV 700 specification (with 500 or 700 cubic toes of storage, respectively), the European model is the shorter and narrower EDV 500, Rivian informed InsideEVs.

The EDV 500 is 248 inches (6,300 millimeters) lengthy and it has a wheelbase of 157 in (4,000 mm), in comparison with the EDV 700’s size of 277 in (7,000 mm) and wheelbase of 187 in (4,700 mm). The EDV 500 can be 7 in (180 mm) narrower than the EDV 700.

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Amazon says that pre-release variations of the brand new European-spec EDVs have been totally examined by its drivers in Germany since final yr. This allowed Rivian to optimize the efficiency, security, and sturdiness of its car in several climate and geographical situations.

The e-commerce firm says that the EDV’s options have additionally been improved to make sure driver satisfaction and the general performance of the car. The Euro-spec EDV 500 includes a collision-warning system, adaptive cruise management, automated emergency braking, automated door locks, a powered bulkhead, devoted software program bundle, and extra.

Amazon mentioned it delivered greater than 45 million packages in Germany utilizing electrical vans and e-cargo bikes final yr, and the brand new Rivian EDVs will assist it ship much more packages in a sustainable method.

The corporate plans to speculate greater than $1.09 billion (1 billion euros) to affect its European transport community and cut back CO2 emissions within the coming years, with Germany accounting for greater than $436 million (400 million euros) of the grand complete.

In September 2019, Amazon positioned an order for 100,000 Rivian EDVs as a part of its Local weather Pledge purpose to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. In line with the deal, Rivian must ship the complete fleet of 100,000 vans by 2030.