Amazon introduced its electric vans to Tulsa two years ago and now has a fleet of at least three dozen of the vehicles that have been delivering packages – quietly – in Oklahoma City since December.
Amazon founder and ex-CEO Jeff Bezos announced that Amazon purchased 100,000 electric vans from Rivian as part of his company’s ambitious promise of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The battery-powered vans are replacing gasoline-powered cargo vans, many of which have 90,000 or more miles on the odometer.
Drivers said the vehicles are equipped with the latest technology and ample space to make their jobs easier and are nearly silent on delivery routes.
The custom vehicles were manufactured by Rivian exclusively for Amazon and were designed “from the ground up” with safety and efficiency in mind for drivers. Amazon reportedly plans to introduce 100,000 of the EVs into its fleet by 2030.
One driver told an OKC television reporter, “I run about an hour and a half to almost two hours faster on my route while carrying 10% to 20% more packages than I do in my gas van.”
The vehicles can also hold a charge for up to 150 miles, which is more than enough for a full route.
Another driver said the cargo area is taller: a person 6 feet, 4 inches tall can stand upright in it.
Also, the extra space makes it easier and quicker to find particular delivery items from as many as 50 different containers needed for particular stops. Since the space is bigger – 660 cubic feet – the van can carry more.
Features of the new vehicles include:
• An 8-by-12-inch screen.
• 360-degree visibility and an extra-large windshield.
• Sensor detection.
• Automatic emergency braking and collision warnings.
• “First-of-its-kind embedded technology that fully integrates the delivery workflow with the vehicle, enabling seamless access to routing, navigation, driver support and more.”
• Heated seats and steering wheels.
• Automatic door lock and unlock as the driver comes and goes.
• A powered bulkhead door that opens when drivers reach their delivery location, saving time.
• Batteries are “light, resilient, and low cost in addition to lasting the lifetime of the vehicle.”
• Amazon-branded headlights that smile (with the company logo).
• Height: 9.5 feet (114.8 inches).
• Length: 23 feet (277 inches).
Amazon invested more than $440 million exclusively in Rivian, and Ford, which operates its own E-Transit model, invested nearly $1.2 billion in Rivian.
The electric vans currently constitute only a fraction of Amazon’s overall transportation fleet, which is comprised of 30,000 Amazon-branded delivery vehicles and 20,000 branded trailers.
In a related matter, Senate Bill 502, the Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Charging Act, passed the state Senate unopposed earlier this month and was delivered to the House of Representatives for consideration.
SB 502 is intended to promote private sector investment in the deployment of EV charging stations throughout the state.
Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, is the principal author of the bill, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, is the House sponsor.