AT&T Launches EV Pilot Program With Rivian for Safety, Sustainability, and Cut Costs

AT&T has teamed up with the highly acclaimed electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian Automotive Inc., to introduce a pilot program focused on transitioning its commercial fleet to electric vehicles (EVs).

With this insightful endeavor, AT&T expects to gradually incorporate Rivian’s Commercial Van and R1 vehicles into its fleet starting in early 2024. This activity is geared toward evaluating how these EVs can enhance safety measures, streamline costs, and lower the company’s carbon emissions, thereby supporting its journey toward sustainability.

“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.” 

Hardmon Williams, SVP, AT&T Connected Solutions

The commercial fleet of AT&T plays a vital role in ensuring seamless connectivity for its customers. The decision to test Rivian EVs aligns perfectly with AT&T’s forward-looking vision of fleet electrification. This progressive initiative is a significant stride toward achieving the telecom behemoth’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2035.

AT&T’s sustainability pursuits are not a new phenomenon. The company has been proactively working toward reducing its carbon footprint, and the results are seen in its strategy and operations. Their game plan for emissions reduction involves optimizing routes, transitioning to hybrid and full EVs, and shrinking the overall fleet size. The application of AI to drive efficiency has resulted in AT&T covering 20% fewer miles annually, bringing down emissions by a substantial 51 million pounds.

This collaboration isn’t just limited to AT&T’s fleet electrification. The telecom leader has been named the exclusive connectivity provider for all Rivian vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. In this strategic move, AT&T’s connectivity will facilitate Rivian’s over-the-air software updates, continually enhancing its vehicle features and enriching the customer driving experience.

“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.”

Dagan Mishoulam, VP, Strategy & Fleet at Rivian, via AT&T Press Release

Finally, a quick note on Rivian’s Commercial Van — a vehicle designed with an eye on safety, sustainability, and ownership cost. With features like automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility, this van is touted as one of the road’s safest vehicles. It operates on Rivian’s proprietary software stack, which fortifies the fleet management system, boosts efficiency, and aids in reducing the total cost of ownership.