Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, announced today that its commercial electric vans are now available for purchase by any business in the United States, marking the end of its exclusive partnership with Amazon.
The company is offering two models: the RCV 500, starting at $79,900, and the larger RCV 700, priced from $83,900. While businesses can order anywhere from a single vehicle to thousands of units, the vans must be registered for commercial use only.
This move comes after Rivian's exclusive deal with Amazon concluded in November 2023. The original agreement, made in 2019, included Amazon's commitment to purchase 100,000 vans and invest $1 billion in the startup. However, Amazon acquired only 20,000 vehicles before the partnership ended early.
During the past year, Rivian has been conducting trials with major fleet operators, including AT&T, while developing service infrastructure and software solutions for future customers. The company sees potential in the commercial van segment, as these vehicles typically offer better profit margins than their consumer vehicles, the R1T truck and R1S SUV.
The electric commercial vehicle market has seen mixed results recently. While Ford reported success with its E-Transit vans, selling over 12,000 units in 2024, General Motors had to restructure its BrightDrop division due to market challenges. Mercedes-Benz is also entering the space with its eSprinter van expected to launch later this year.
For Rivian, expanding van sales to a broader customer base could provide a needed boost to its financial performance. The company plans to generate additional revenue through software subscription services for van features, enhancing the long-term value proposition for fleet operators.