All systems go to MEVCO and Rivian

MEVCO has announced a new global partnership with Rivian Automotive, to customize and supply R1T left-hand drive models to the Australian mining industry.

It was the first revealed in February, 2024 that MEVCO was testing the Rivian R1T in Perth, Western Australia, to certify the vehicle for use in the mining industry.

MEVCO chief executive Matt Cahir shared the news in a LinkedIn post at the time describing the company’s tests of the Rivian R1T calling them “amazing cars”.

“We had a great couple of days on the off-road track in Perth, testing the MEVCO Rivian R1T in some really tough terrain,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

Time Go to Auto we were informally informed about the major modifications made to the Rivian R1T used by MEVCO, we could not disclose the details at the time – however, we can confirm that the Australian company is customizing mining structures and equipment such as the mining protection system. (ROPS), separator and more.

According to MEVCO, it will support mining customers with payment infrastructure, maintenance, and workflows for Rivian vehicles.

“The Rivian R1T is well-known for its on- and off-road capabilities, and its robust design and versatility make it an ideal candidate to tackle the many challenges that mining presents,” he said.

“The combination of Rivian’s technology and MEVCO’s proven track record in dedicated electric mining vehicles is poised to deliver a fleet that exceeds the needs of the most demanding operators.”

Mr Cahir points out that the benefits of MEVCO mining vehicles extend beyond sustainability, they also offer enhanced security and the ability to work underground.

“The shift to electrification extends beyond environmental and financial benefits. It is about promoting a safer and healthier environment for mine operators, especially in underground environments where the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions is important,” he added.

“We’ve already seen strong support for the Rivian product, along with the infrastructure that MEVCO is building to support distribution.”

Vice president of strategy at Rivian Dagan Mishoulam says the focus of the company’s commercial fleet has been on its vehicle lineup with Amazon committing to putting 100,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

“Our fleet offering is best known for our commercial vehicles, so it is great to see our R1 vehicles being included in the MEVCO fleet,” said Mr Mishoulam.

“We’re happy to electrify their ships, and we’re happy to help them reduce emissions.”

The R1T offers standard dimensions that put two cruisers to shame, with a ground clearance of 378mm, a depth of 914mm, a towing capacity of 4989kg and a 100% crawl capability.

The R1T also offers a driving range of 434km, while the Big and Max battery pack options increase the range to 566km and 659km respectively. The added weight of mine-specific equipment will definitely limit the driving range, though.

A 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.0 seconds, over a second faster than the Ford F-150 Electric, means the Rivian is likely to be the fastest vehicle to set foot on an Australian mine site.

Speaking to Go to Auto In February, Mr Cahir explained that the mining sector is leading the adoption of electric vehicle technology, with a strong focus on carbon reduction.

“Mining companies in many respects lead the world, in terms of carbon compliance,” he said.

“I think this new era of electrifying ships is coming fast.”