Morgan Olson has partnered with Rivian to supply the skateboard chassis from their Commercial Van for the electrification of the company’s C250 model, an electric step-van designed for Canada Post.
The C250e step-van brings together the Rivian Commercial Van chassis, with its 100 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with Morgan Olson’s commercial vehicle expertise, having been in the step-van manufacturing industry since 1945.
The C250e will feature more of Rivian than just the skateboard, as the electric delivery van will also integrate Rivian’s software and safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver assistance features, and 360-degree camera system. (via FleetOwner)
Rivian will also have to modify their chassis slightly to accommodate Canada’s Post need for the delivery van to be right-hand drive (RHD).
First to receive the C250e from Morgan Olson is Canada Post, which has pledged to convert its entire fleet of 14,000 vehicles to be all-electric by 2040, with an interim target of 50% by 2030.
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For Morgan Olson, the partnership aims to leverage Rivian’s reliable and tested EV technology to outfit vehicles for a variety of applications, including smaller grocery delivery vans and other commercial uses. With Morgan Olson’s ties to major North American carriers, there’s a strong possibility that Rivian-powered vehicles will become a more common sight across Canada and the US.
This strategic move to supply its skateboard chassis to other companies comes at a time when Rivian looks to expand its market reach following the end of its Commercial Delivery Van exclusivity agreement with Amazon. This opening allows Rivian to explore new revenue streams amid a plateauing demand for its EVs, and while it waits for the launch of its next vehicle model, the R2, in 2026.
Also adding to Rivian’s portfolio, the company has recently signed a deal with AT&T, integrating Rivian’s electric vans and trucks into the company’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
