In a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at revolutionizing sustainable transportation and fostering connected mobility, telecommunications giant AT&T and electric vehicle innovator Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN) have officially inked a partnership. The agreement, disclosed today, outlines AT&T’s commitment to procure Rivian’s cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a pioneering pilot program dedicated to curbing carbon emissions in the transport sector.
Set to commence in early 2024, AT&T plans to integrate Rivian’s Commercial Van and R1 vehicles into its extensive fleet, embarking on a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicles’ potential to enhance safety, cut operational costs, and significantly shrink the company’s carbon footprint.
AT&T, recognizing the pivotal role its commercial fleet plays in ensuring seamless customer connectivity, views this strategic move as a pivotal step in its electrification journey. The incorporation of Rivian’s EVs aligns seamlessly with AT&T’s broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.
Renowned for delivering tangible sustainability results both within its operations and for its business clientele, AT&T is poised to leverage Rivian’s EVs to further slash fleet emissions. The company’s holistic strategy encompasses route optimization, transitioning to hybrid and electric vehicles, and downsizing its overall fleet. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, AT&T has successfully reduced annual mileage by 20%, resulting in a noteworthy 51 million pounds reduction in emissions.
Beyond the procurement of Rivian’s EVs for its pilot program, AT&T holds the exclusive connectivity rights for all Rivian vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. This exclusive partnership aims to deliver a smarter, safer, and more connected driving experience to Rivian vehicle owners. AT&T’s robust connectivity facilitates over-the-air software updates, ensuring Rivian vehicles consistently evolve with new features, enhancing the driving experience.
The Rivian Commercial Van, at the heart of this strategic alliance, is meticulously crafted with a focus on safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility, the Commercial Van is engineered to be one of the safest vehicles on the road. Rivian’s proprietary software stack further enhances fleet management efficiency, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership.
Hardmon Williams, Senior Vice President of AT&T Connected Solutions, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to purchase Rivian EVs for our fleet. This pilot is another important step in our ongoing efforts toward sustainability, reducing our carbon footprint and embracing a cleaner future for our operations. With advanced connectivity and a vision for a sustainable future, Rivian is setting the standard for the evolving demands of modern transportation.”
Dagan Mishoulam, Vice President of Strategy & Fleet at Rivian, shared his excitement, saying, “We couldn’t be happier to collaborate with AT&T as we work together to help cut emissions and protect our environment. Around a quarter of CO2 emitted in the transportation sector in the US comes from commercial vans, so it’s imperative we do all we can as soon as possible to help cut emissions. Our category defining vehicles offer some of the most advanced technology in the sector and are continually improved through over-the-air updates. We’re very much looking forward to expanding our relationship with AT&T to help them achieve their climate goals.”
