I Flew My Drone Over Rivian’s Plant and Discovered a Jaw-Dropping Fleet of Electric Vans

I drove 100 miles to Rivian’s plant, flew my drone, and captured footage of thousands of Amazon delivery vans and Rivian trucks. Could this be the future of electric vehicles?

Danny Jay took to the Facebook Group Apex Automator to share his latest sighting at the Rivian plant. They “were hundreds of rows of 100s of vans. It was honestly crazy”, Jay was passing through on a road trip when he decided to swing by the facility – and was stunned by the hundreds of Rivian vans and trucks seemingly awaiting delivery or transport. 

"It appears there’s at least 10,000 vans, if not more, waiting to ship to Amazon, and maybe a thousand SUVs and trucks.

Is this a good thing? Bad thing? Are they selling a ton of vans or none?

There were hundreds of rows of 100s of vans. It was honestly crazy

I drove 100 miles out of my way to stop by Rivian, and it was totally worth it. 

Would you buy a Rivian right now? I am on the fence and still think I’d stick with Tesla." 

The experience provides a firsthand glimpse into Rivian's efforts to fulfill major orders like Amazon's electric van fleet while also launching its hotly-anticipated consumer trucks and SUVs into a red-hot EV market.

A Shift to Electrification

Jay’s encounter comes as the automotive industry undergoes a shift to electrification. With emissions regulations potentially tightening and consumer interest surging, nearly every major automaker has pivoted to developing battery-electric models. This wave has created opportunities for startups like Rivian to challenge incumbents with clean-sheet designs optimized for electric drivetrains.

Follow this link to watch the drone footage and witness the fleet of Amazon delivery trucks for yourself.

As one of the most well-funded EV startups with backing from Amazon and Ford among others, Rivian has drawn outsize attention for its eye-catching truck and SUV designs along with its strategic partnership delivering Amazon's first custom electric van.

How Rivian is Changing the Game

• Rivian is producing over 10,000 electric vans for Amazon and thousands of SUVs and trucks, demonstrating its ability to meet large-scale commercial and consumer demand.
• Utilizing the "skateboard" platform, Rivian’s R1T pickup and R1S SUV offer streamlined assembly and increased interior space, complemented by the Driver+ suite of advanced driver-assistance features.
• Backed by major investors like Amazon and Ford, including a $1.2 billion investment from Ford, Rivian collaborates with established brands to enhance its presence and competitiveness in the EV market.

Technical Deep Dive

The R1T pickup and R1S SUV that caught Jay's eye both ride on Rivian's pioneering "skateboard" platform architecture. This design integrates the battery pack, suspension, braking systems, and other core components into a single streamlined structure. Not only does this simplify vehicle assembly, but it also opens up more interior room by eliminating space traditionally taken up by an engine compartment.  

The consumer trucks and SUVs also feature cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors enabling the Driver+ suite of driver-assistance capabilities. This includes hands-free highway driving very similar to Tesla's Autopilot system. However, Rivian has been more cautious in marketing its technology as "self-driving," and Driver+ currently lacks some of Tesla's more advanced Summon and city-driving features.  

A Changing Perspective

Rivian's production ramp comes as virtually every major automaker has embraced electrification as a core pillar moving forward. Legacy players like Ford, GM, Mercedes, and others have rolled out their own premium electric trucks and SUVs to directly challenge Rivian and Tesla. 

Rivian has forged partnerships with more established brands rather than going it purely alone. Beyond the Amazon delivery van deal, Ford has invested $1.2 billion into Rivian with plans to leverage the startup's platform for future products. This trend of startups and incumbents joining forces could reshape the competitive landscape.

A Tale As Old As Time

While modern electric vehicles often seem like a new phenomenon, battery-powered cars predate their gasoline counterparts by decades. The first crude electric carriages appeared in the 1830s, with more advanced models gaining some commercial traction by the turn of the 20th century. Factors like short ranges and the rise of affordable, gas-powered personal cars soon overshadowed electric vehicles until the 1970s oil crisis sparked a revival.  

Companies like GM and Toyota explored electric vehicles with the EV1 and Prius respectively. But it was Tesla's launch of the Roadster sports car in 2008 that truly kicked off the modern EV era. With each subsequent model, Tesla demonstrated the most thrilling performance possible.

What’s Next for Rivian

Jay's awe at seeing Rivian's production lines in full swing speaks to the rapidly mainstreaming future of EVs across consumer and commercial vehicle segments. 

As the startup begins deliveries of its marquee products, it will face intense competitive pressure from legacy brands like Ford's electric F-150 in the hotly-contested truck arena. But buyers will only win with more choices.

What do you think of Rivian? If you were in the electric vehicle market would you purchase one of their vehicles or pick something more common such as a Tesla?

Leave your thoughts down below!

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.