Rivian arrives in Australia! New deal will supply all-electric R1T utes to Australian mines

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 John Mahoney 13079 Views 0 Comments HiLux, landcruiser, MEVCO, R1T, Rivian, Toyota

Australian miners will soon take deliveries of Rivian R1T utes as part of a global partnership between both the US truck and SUV maker and the Mining Electric Vehicle Company (MEVCO).

Sadly the deal does not include sale of the R1T to the Australian public.

According to MEVCO, a fleet of mine-spec Rivian R1T electric 4×4 dual-cab pick-ups are already on the way Down Under, although it’s not been confirmed just how many R1Ts MEVCO plans to sell here but the deal globally is said to be worth “hundreds of Rivians”.

It’s unclear whether or not the modified R1Ts that are inbound have been converted to right-hand drive, as Rivian has yet to officially commence RHD production at its factory in Illinois, in the US.

In the past Rivian has publicly declared its intention to export to Australia but has not given any updates when the brand will eventually rock up here.

As well as the R1T, Californian-based car-maker builds a large R1S SUV but recently revealed a smaller Rivian R2 SUV and smaller-still R3. While the R2 will have a North American launch in 2026, the US brand has been reluctant to reveal which model will be made in RHD first.

MEVCO, which has bases in Australia, Canada and the US, currently supplies Aussie-based mines its dual-cab Toyota HiLux-based MEVCO EV, with either an 88kWh battery for the 4×4 version or a small 60kWh power pack with the 4×2.

Just last year MEVCO signed another deal with SEA Electric to supply 8500 all-electric HiLux and LandCruisers, as part of $1 billion deal with that will last five years.

Back in January 2023, MEVCO said it had allocated more than half that number.

Competing with other locally converted EV mine vehicles, Toyota itself is now said to be developing its own battery-electric LandCruiser 70 Series and HiLux commercial vehicles.

Despite the enhanced competition, the mine-spec Rivian R1Ts should have the competition licked when it comes to performance and range.

Powered by a huge 135kWh battery, the quad-motor all-wheel drive dual-cab pick-up produces 392kW and 827Nm of torque and is said to be capable of travelling up to 656km on a single charge. Better still, as much as 225km of range can be added following a 20-minute top-up using a fast DC charger.

Kitting the Rivian R1T out for mine work, MEVCO has added a bespoke roo bar, rollover sport bar, steel wire reinforced rear bulkhead, plus fire-suppression gear and handy built-in slide trays in the Gear Tunnel between the bed and cab.

Even after adding the safety and work equipment needed for life in the mines, MEVCO said the Rivian R1T will still have a 4990kg towing capacity, 800kg payload and deep 914mm wading depth, although the big battery-powered ute does weight a hefty 3069kg.

Backed by a four-year warranty and coming with advanced semi-autonomous driving aids, MEVCO has declared that if mines snap up the Rivian it will help support both the charging infrastructure and maintenance needed to support a fleet of R1Ts.

Commenting on the deal MEVCO CEO Matt Cahir said: “The Rivian R1T is widely acclaimed for its on and off-road capabilities, and its robust design and adaptability make it the ideal candidate to meet the many challenges mining presents.

“The integration of Rivian’s technology with MEVCO’s proven track record in mining-specific electric vehicles is poised to yield a fleet that exceeds the requirements of the most demanding operators.

“The shift to electric solutions extends beyond environmental and financial advantages. It is about fostering a safer, healthier environment for mine operators, particularly in subterranean settings where the elimination of tailpipe emissions is paramount. The Rivian R1T, in terms of safety and off-road capabilities, stands unparalleled.”