Rivian R1T electric pick-up confirmed for Australia

The Mining Electric Vehicle Company (MEVCO) has announced a global partnership with Rivian Automotive to supply EVs to mining industry fleets around the world, including in Australia.

And the first mine-spec Rivian R1T electric pick-ups are already on their way Down Under.

“MEVCO has received delivery of hundreds of vehicles from Rivian for deployment in North America and Australia,” the company told carsales.

“Rivian has more than enough capacity to meet our vehicle forecast numbers globally. The first vehicles are in transit to Australia to deliver to existing orders.”

However, MEVCO has not stated how many Australian orders it has received nor how many R1Ts it plans to sell here, and Rivian is yet to commence right-hand drive production of either its full-size electric pick-up or its SUV sister model, the R1S, or confirm its long-awaited entrance in the Australian auto market.

The US EV-maker last month revealed the smaller Rivian R2 electric SUV and the smaller-still R3 ahead of their North American release in 2026, but so far no Rivian products have been confirmed for RHD let alone Australian public availability.

Established in Australia, Canada and the US in 2022, MEVCO already supplies Aussie mining companies with the dual-cab Toyota HiLux-based MEVCO EV, in 88kWh 4x4 and 60kWh 4x2 forms.

In partnership with electric fleet vehicle converter, SEA Electric, in January 2023 it announced a $1 billion deal to supply 8500 zero-emissions HiLux and LandCruiser vehicles to the mining industry over the following five years.

At the time, it said more than half of its 2023 vehicle allocation had already been sold, mimicking the demand for converted battery-electric HiLux and Ford Ranger vehicles from Aussie EV start-up, Roev.

A number of other locally-converted EV mine vehicles are also being produced, as Toyota continues to develop its own LandCruiser 70 Series EV and HiLux EV for local commercial vehicle customers.

But the mine-spec MEVCO Rivian R1T, which is upgraded by SEA to operate in both surface and underground mines, goes a step further than all of those vehicles in terms of size, performance and range.

The 5.5m-long R1T comes with a quad-motor permanent 4x4 system that produces 392kW/827Nm and is powered by a big 135kWh battery pack that delivers a range of between 563-656km, including up to 225km via a 20-minute DC fast-charge.

According to MEVCO, it has a 4990kg towing capacity, 800kg payload, 914mm wading depth, 3069kg kerb weight, 8156kg gross combined mass and 3870kg gross vehicle mass.

Backed by a four-year warranty and equipped with a full safety suite, the R1T is also the only pick-up in the US to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

MEVCO CEO Matt Cahir said his company would also support R1T buyers when it comes to charging infrastructure, maintenance and workflows.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“We have already seen strong support for the Rivian product, as well as the infrastructure MEVCO is building to support the rollout.”

Dagan Mishoulam, Rivian’s VP of Strategy, said: “Our fleet offering is better known for our commercial vans, so its great to see our R1 vehicles being incorporated into MEVCO’s fleet. We’re delighted they are electrifying their fleet with us, and we’re excited to help them reduce tailpipe emissions.”

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au