Amazon Bets on EVs

Electric vehicles--and Ford-backed Rivian in particular--got another kick in the collective rear bumper this week, thanks to Amazon.

While the kids were schooling the adults about the disaster that is global warming, Amazon committed to purchasing 100,000 (yes, that's 5 zeros) electric delivery vehicles over the next 10 years. The plan is to have the first electric trucks supporting Prime fans in 2021 and have all the new EVs on the road by 2030.

Given the proliferation of home deliveries and the concomitant expansion of one's carbon footprint, the move to EVs is a welcome change. Having just spent a week in a town that only uses EVs--the beautiful Swiss hamlet of Zermatt in the valley below the Matterhorn--it makes a significant difference in terms of not only air but also noise pollution.

Why did Amazon choose Rivian? The company led a $700 million round of funding for Rivian back in February, and with Ford chipping in to give the startup an experienced hand in manufacturing, it looks like a reasonable bet.

Rivian's designs also are more forward-thinking that other truck/SUV plans. Now the question is, when will Daimler EVs get an order like that?