Rivian Begins Deliveries of Upgraded EDV 700 Electric Van with 129 kWh Battery and AWD
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive has started delivering the first major hardware upgrade to its electric delivery van since production began in 2021, featuring a larger lithium iron phosphate battery pack and a new dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration, according to Electrek reporting on Thursday, October 29, 2026. In its shareholder presentation for the third quarter of 2026, the company stated that deliveries of the upgraded variants began in early October. Rivian described this as a significant specification update for its delivery van platform, which previously operated with an estimated rated range of approximately 160 miles. Rivian designed the revised variants to expand delivery route coverage into rural networks, combining the dual-motor configuration with a 30% increase in operating range.
Extended Range Battery and Dual-Motor Configuration
Certification filings issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on September 17 for the 2027 model-year EDV 700 indicate that the new battery pack holds 129 kWh of usable energy capacity. The new 129 kWh figure represents usable capacity, while earlier EPA filings specify approximately 90 kWh usable for the standard pack; a previously advertised 100 kWh rating is not directly comparable. The hardware update applies specifically to the larger EDV 700 variant, which provides 652 cubic feet of cargo volume. Meanwhile, the smaller EDV 500 model retains its existing battery pack and front-wheel-drive configuration without receiving the expanded pack.
Usable Capacity and Model Differentiation
Unadjusted laboratory testing figures from the Environmental Protection Agency demonstrate range improvements across both powertrain configurations. The laboratory assessment recorded 261.7 miles for the existing front-wheel-drive EDV 700, while the new front-wheel-drive model achieved 355.5 miles, marking a 36% increase. The new dual-motor all-wheel-drive EDV 700 registered 322.25 miles in laboratory tests, reflecting a 23% improvement over the existing front-wheel-drive baseline. Using the reported 30% range improvement as a guide gives an indicative front-wheel-drive figure of about 208 miles, while reporting places the all-wheel-drive estimate near 195 to 200 miles. These are estimates, not final EPA-certified road ranges.
Rivian Senior Vice President of Autonomy and AI James Philbin stated in October 2026 that the company is actively investigating supporting greater autonomous capability for future versions of the delivery van.
Laboratory Range Testing and Real-World Estimates
The expanded range and all-wheel-drive traction aim to resolve key operational limitations encountered on rural routes, where gravel, mud, and snow challenge front-wheel-drive vans carrying heavy cargo over longer distances. Amazon remains Rivian's primary commercial customer for the delivery van platform, even though the exclusive supply agreement between the two companies concluded in late 2023. Rivian first outlined plans to develop the larger battery and all-wheel-drive hardware in its fourth-quarter 2025 shareholder letter when Amazon's fleet expanded by 50%. The commercial van market also includes Ford's E-Transit, while changes to rival programmes have altered the competitive landscape.
In February 2025, Rivian officially opened commercial orders for its Delivery 500 and Delivery 700 vans to fleets of all sizes across the United States without minimum order requirements following the conclusion of Amazon's exclusivity deal, according to RivianTrackr.