Ruqayyah Snyder
Rivian's electric vehicles are coming to Australia, but they won't be available to the general public. The Rivian R1T, a full-size battery-electric 4x4 dual-cab, will be sold to Australian mining companies and modified by MEVCO (the Mining Electric Vehicle Company) to meet mining specifications. The vehicles will be powered by large batteries and will be equipped with advanced safety features, making them suitable for both surface and underground mining operations. While this is a step forward for the electrification of Australia's mining industry, it is unclear when Rivian vehicles will be widely available to Australian consumers.
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What You'll Learn
The Rivian R1T is coming to Australia, but only for mining companies
The Rivian R1T is an electric ute pick-up truck that is coming to Australia, but it will only be available to mining companies. While the Rivian R1T has been spotted on Australian roads, it is not yet available to the general public in Australia. The R1T is currently only produced in left-hand drive, which prevents its Australian public release.
The R1T is being modified and supplied to local mines by the Australian firm MEVCO (the Mining Electric Vehicle Company). MEVCO has a deal with Rivian to customise the R1T to mining specifications. The R1T will be sold to Australian mining sites, but it is believed they will be offered in left-hand drive only. MEVCO will also support mining companies with the necessary charging infrastructure, maintenance, and workflows.
The R1T has a quad-motor permanent 4x4 system that produces 392kW/827Nm and is powered by a 135kWh battery pack that delivers a range of between 563-656km, including up to 225km via a 20-minute DC fast charge. The R1T has a 4990kg towing capacity, an 800kg payload, a 914mm wading depth, a 3069kg kerb weight, an 8156kg gross combined mass, and a 3870kg gross vehicle mass. It is the only pick-up in the US to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
MEVCO has already supplied Aussie mining companies with dual-cab electric vehicles, and in January 2023, it announced a $1 billion deal to supply 8500 zero-emissions vehicles to the mining industry over five years. Electric vehicles are particularly useful in underground mines as they emit zero tailpipe emissions, creating a safer, healthier environment for mine operators.
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The R1T will be modified by MEVCO for use in mines
The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck that is coming to Australia, but it will not be available to the public. Instead, it will be modified by MEVCO (the Mining Electric Vehicle Company) for use in mines. MEVCO is an Australian-based company that specializes in converting vehicles to electric power for the mining industry.
The R1T will be customized by MEVCO to meet the specific requirements of mining operations. This includes equipping the vehicle with mine-spec features and ensuring it can operate in both surface and underground mines. The electric pickup truck is expected to bring several benefits to the mining industry. Firstly, it will help create a safer and healthier environment for mine operators by eliminating tailpipe emissions, particularly in subterranean settings. Secondly, the R1T is expected to offer cost savings to mining companies due to its electric power, reducing fuel costs and requiring less maintenance compared to diesel vehicles.
MEVCO has already offered test drives of the Rivian R1T to 45 mining companies, and the response has been positive. However, the company has not disclosed the number of Australian orders received or their sales plans in the country. The R1T will be sold to mining fleets in Australia and overseas, but it is believed that it will only be offered in left-hand drive initially.
The partnership between MEVCO and Rivian is an exclusive global collaboration. MEVCO will not only modify the R1T for mining use but also support mining companies with charging infrastructure, maintenance, and workflows. This includes helping with the transition to electric fleets and ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place.
The Rivian R1T has already gained recognition for its safety, off-road capabilities, robust design and adaptability, making it suitable for the challenges of mining. The vehicle has a quad-motor permanent 4x4 system, a large 135kWh battery pack, and impressive towing and payload capacities. With these features, the R1T is well-equipped for the demands of mining operations.
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The R1T is currently only available in left-hand drive
The Rivian R1T is an electric pick-up truck produced by US start-up Rivian. The R1T is currently only available in left-hand drive, which has prevented its Australian public release. However, the R1T is being modified and supplied to local mines by the Australian firm MEVCO (the Mining Electric Vehicle Company). MEVCO will modify the R1T for use in both surface and underground mines, and will support mining companies with the necessary charging infrastructure. The R1T is also the only pick-up in the US to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The R1T has been spotted on Australian roads, but it is not yet available to the general public. Instead, it will be upfitted by MEVCO for sale to mining fleets in Australia and overseas. MEVCO has had a left-hand-drive R1T in the country for display and test drives with mining fleet customers. The company has not stated how many Australian orders it has received or how many R1Ts it plans to sell.
Rivian has expressed interest in an Australian launch and sale to the general public, but has not announced a timeline or confirmed right-hand drive production. The company is currently producing the second generation of the R1T, as well as the R1S SUV and the EDV commercial van. In 2024, Rivian produced approximately 49,000 EVs and delivered around 51,000, exceeding expectations. The company is also preparing to launch the R2, R3, and R3X in the coming years.
While the R1T is not yet available to the Australian public, it is believed that Rivian will eventually offer right-hand drive vehicles. The company has created a website for the UK, hinting at right-hand-drive production in the future. Additionally, Rivian stated in 2021 that right-hand drive production and an Australian release were part of its plan. However, there has been no further update since then.
In conclusion, while the Rivian R1T is currently only available in left-hand drive, there is a possibility that right-hand drive vehicles may be offered in the future. For now, the R1T will be sold to mining fleets in Australia, taking advantage of the safety and environmental benefits of electric vehicles in underground mines.
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The R1S has been spotted in Melbourne
The Rivian R1S electric SUV has been spotted in Melbourne, Australia, in 2024. This Forest Green R1S was seen in Melbourne's Docklands region, kitted out in Adventure guise, with front tow hooks. This is not the first time the R1S has been sighted in Australia, with previous sightings in Sydney.
While the R1S has been imported to Australia, it is not available for sale to the public. The R1S is currently only produced in left-hand drive, and there is no timeframe for a local showroom release. However, Rivian has previously expressed interest in an Australian launch and sale to the general public.
The R1S's sister model, the R1T electric pickup, is being modified and supplied to local mines by the Australian firm MEVCO (the Mining Electric Vehicle Company). MEVCO will modify the R1T for use in both surface and underground mines and will support mining companies with the necessary charging infrastructure.
MEVCO has a global partnership with Rivian and will customise the R1T to mining specifications. The R1T offers a range of 563-656km, including up to 225km via a 20-minute DC fast charge, and has impressive towing and payload capacities.
While the R1S has been spotted in Melbourne, it appears that Rivian vehicles are not any closer to reaching Australian customers. However, with the R1T being offered to mining fleets, there is a growing presence of Rivian vehicles in the country.
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Rivian has not announced a timeline for an Australian launch
Rivian has been silent on its plans for right-hand drive production, which is necessary for vehicles in Australia and other countries with right-hand traffic. However, the company has hinted at the possibility of right-hand drive production in the future with the creation of a UK website featuring upcoming affordable models.
In the meantime, Rivian has partnered with the Australian company MEVCO (Mining Electric Vehicle Company) to supply its R1T pickup trucks to mining fleets in Australia and overseas. MEVCO will modify the R1T for use in both surface and underground mines and will support mining companies with the necessary charging infrastructure. This partnership is an exclusive "global partnership," according to MEVCO, and will bring the benefits of electric vehicles to the mining industry, including the elimination of tailpipe emissions.
While the R1T is being sold to mining fleets, it is not yet available to the general Australian public. This is a similar situation with the R1S SUV, which has been spotted in Melbourne but does not appear to be any closer to reaching customers. With no updates from Rivian on right-hand drive production or an Australian launch timeline, it is unclear when or if the vehicles will be available to the general public in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Rivian R1T electric ute is coming to Australia. However, it will only be available for mining fleets and not to the general public.
The Rivian R1T will be sold in Australia in 2024, three years after deliveries began in the US.
Electric vehicles are particularly useful in underground mines as they emit zero tailpipe emissions. The Rivian R1T's safety and off-road capabilities also make it ideal for mining operations.
The Rivian R1S electric SUV has been spotted in Melbourne's Docklands region. The Rivian R1T has also been seen on Australian roads.
