Rivian R1T confirmed for Australia, but you can’t have one

The electric Rivian R1T ute is finally coming to Australia, but unless you’re a miner, you won’t be driving one.

News of the R1T’s mission Down Under broke earlier this year when it was confirmed that test drives were being offered to mining operators by MEVCO, an EV fleet company that already supplies electric-converted LandCruisers and HiLux utes to the industry – although it’s the Melbourne-based EXRO Technologies (formerly known as SEA Electric) that does the conversion work.

This week, MEVCO has made its deal with Rivian official, which so far has focused its commercial relationships on the vans it builds for Amazon.

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Rivian strategy boss Dagan Mishoulam said the company is pleased to see the R1T viewed as a vehicle capable of enduring the Australian outback – both above and below ground.

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

The R1T will nonetheless need to be modified for the job, which will be handled by MEVCO here in Australia. The company will also handle charging infrastructure and maintenance needs for its customers.

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As the only ute to earn a Top Safety Pick+ award from America’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the R1T is described by MEVCO boss Matt Cahir as the “ideal candidate” for Australian mining fleets.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

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Responding to Wheels Media questions today, Mr Cahir said MEVCO "has received delivery of hundreds of vehicles from Rivian for deployment in Nth America and Australia."

"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," he added – although he did not offer any numbers on just how many R1T utes are in that shipment.

MEVCO's deal with EXRO will also continue, Mr Cahir confirmed. "This changes nothing with EXRO Technologies. Both vehicles provide solutions for different, and in some cases, the same customers. MEVCO is supported in North America by the Rivian Service network. In Australia, MEVCO is busy building infrastructure to support these vehicles in large fleet numbers."

Given the current HiLux is nearing end of life, this R1T deal could also be a hedge against an unclear future for the availability and cost of electric-converted next-generation HiLux utes – before Toyota eventually introduces a fully electric ute of its own, that is.

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Will the R1T ever be available to Australian private buyers?

Whether we'll see the the Rivian R1T sold in Australia alongside other electric utes and their combustion rivals is unclear.

In 2021, the company told Australian EV site The Driven that two units had been shipped to Australia for climate testing, but not as part of any specific plan to prepare a local launch.

The company confirmed in 2018 that right-hand-drive is part of the company’s business plan for the UK, Japan and Australia – but there has been little progress since then.

A move into the European market was originally expected to occur sometime in 2022, and the UK government had at one point attempted to win Rivian's interest in building its vehicles there – but, again, nothing has been made official.

The recent unveiling of Rivian's R2 and R3 brought confirmation that European sales of at least the R2 will begin in 2026, with right-hand-drive models bound for the UK by 2027 – meaning this would likely be the earliest launch opportunity for Australia.

We've asked Rivian for an update on its Australia plan and will update this story as comment comes in.