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There I was, at the Detroit Auto Show’s “press” day. The latest and greatest vehicles from Cadillac, Chrysler, Lexus, and Ford were all there. The pavilion even had an indoor track where you could ride in the passenger seat. It was Rivian’s first year at the auto show, so I walked up to their booth, introduced myself, and asked for a lap. The guy in the booth gestured to the R1T truck—MotorTrend said it handles like a sports sedan—or the R1S SUV version.

“What’ll it be?”

I pointed at the 9.5-foot-tall service van parked behind them. “Can we take that on the track?”

The numbers behind Rivian’s electric van

This van isn’t just big—it’s enormous. The Rivian Electric Delivery Van (EDV), now called the Rivian Commercial Van (RCV), stands nearly 9.5 feet tall. It comes in two main sizes: the Delivery 500 and Delivery 700. The smaller one is 248.5 inches long and holds 487 cubic feet of cargo. The larger one stretches to 278 inches with 652 cubic feet of space.

White Rivian electric commercial fleet van parked in a lot at sunset.
Rivian Commercial Van | Rivian

Both versions share the same powertrain. A single front-mounted motor puts out 320 horsepower and 299 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive only—no AWD option. Rivian advertises the range as 161 miles for the 500 and 160 for the 700. Charging maxes out at 150 kW DC, meaning you could feasibly top it off and do a second route during one shift. The vans also pack safety tech like 360-degree cameras, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.

The cabin is all about efficiency. Rivian designed the interior with real delivery drivers, adding wireless charging, an automated bulkhead door, and a 6’10” standing height. There’s even a climate-controlled driver’s seat with energy-saving microclimate tech. Comfy, practical, and made to last.

Rivian opens van sales to any fleet

For years, Amazon had the exclusive rights to Rivian’s van. But as of late 2023, that deal is over. Now, Rivian will sell these electric workhorses to any company, big or small. Even a one-van operation can place an order.

Prices start at $79,900 for the Delivery 500 and $83,900 for the 700. That’s not cheap, but electric fleets cut fuel and maintenance costs. No oil changes. No gas bills. Just plug in overnight and go. That’s why Amazon wanted 100,000 of these things in the first place.

Rivian’s move makes sense. The EDV has already proven itself with Amazon, delivering millions of packages across the U.S. and Europe. Now, companies looking to electrify their fleets finally have an option that isn’t just a repurposed gas van with an EV swap. This is a ground-up electric workhorse. And now, it’s open for business.

Driving impressions

My host pulled the Rivian Commercial Van onto the track, flipped down the jump seat, and opened the door. I leapt up the steps and buckled in. Then off we went.

I had a great time in the van. It obviously has a high center of gravity and can’t take off like a sports car. But it’s a lot smoother than regular delivery trucks you hear gasping for air between every stoplight. The truth is that local delivery routes should have been electric a decade ago: for a set route, an electric vehicle is cheaper per mile with less downtime. And it pollutes less too. I just have one question left: when will the first camper company offer a Rivian conversion for the #vanlife folks?

You can watch video of my jump seat drive embedded below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.