Seven months after electric truck start-upRivianannounced that it hadraised $ 700 millionin an investment round led byAmazon, the online retail giant has placed a massive order with the Michigan-based EV firm as part of its new climate change strategy.
Tesla rival scores massive Amazon order
According to astatementreleased by the tech behemoth, Amazon will order 100, 000 electric delivery trucks from Rivian as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions. Amazon intends to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement by 2040, ten years ahead of schedule. By 2024, Amazon hopes to be using 80% renewable energy.
Rivian will deliver the trucks within a span of three years, starting in 2021.
How do Rivian vehicles compare with Tesla’s?
The massive order comes a little over half a year since Amazon led a $ 700 million investment round in Rivian. At the time,CNBCrevealed that Rivian’s R1T pickup trucks would feature a 180 kWh battery pack. This would be enough to offer a range of 400 miles. The truck is also expected to tow cargo of up to 11, 000 pounds.
Though not in the same category, thehighest-rangeTesla vehicle, a Model S, comes with a 100 kWh battery pack. Tesla claims this car has a range of 370 miles.
With regards to speed, the Rivian R1T is expected to reach 60 miles per hour in 3 seconds. The Tesla Model S canacceleratefrom zero to 60 miles per hour within 2.4 seconds.
Details about Rivian’s delivery truck have not been announced.
Jeff Bezos & Elon Musk bring space rivalry home to Earth
While making the announcement, Amazon noted that this was the “largest order ever of electric delivery vehicles.” It is also slightly more than the number of cars that Tesla has ever delivered in a single quarter. During the second quarter of this year, Tesla delivered a total of 95, 200 cars, itsbest quarter ever.
The Amazon order now promises to give Rivian a significant advantage because it will already have a customer who could easily offer repeat business.
While Tesla has a head start, Rivian could possibly provide it with serious competition in the future. Tesla also has plans to release a delivery truck known as theSemi, but in terms of sales,
Amazon’s deepening alliance with Rivian promises to open a new front in the competition between Jeff Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
The two are alreadyfierce rivalsin space travel, with Bezos leading Blue Origin and Musk heading SpaceX.
Now, they’re bringing their rivalry home to Earth.
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