Caltrans goes Rivian w/ 450 service work vehicles! (Admin Warning: NO POLITICS)

[Time2Roll]

Good find. That's only 4 of them though. Curious what's the source for the "450" number?

All are different so my guess is these are the authorized buy configurations for the local manager to order as needed for replacements.

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[True Brit]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps I am missing something, and this is money well spent. Feel free to explain what I might be missing.

 

[BigSkies]

That’s about 1% of this years sales target. Should help with numbers. Particularly if they can deliver most in Q4, which we know will be a tough quarter.

 

[Joules Burn]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps I am missing something, and this is money well spent. Feel free to explain what I might be missing.

Bright orange advertising. Exposure for the brand. A "working truck" put into real life service. More people stuck in freeway construction will have more time to contemplate, "Who makes Rivian?"

 

[electrictaco]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps I am missing something, and this is money well spent. Feel free to explain what I might be missing.

No one batted an eye when Cal Trans bought a bunch of GM Silverado EV work trucks last year... same price.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps I am missing something, and this is money well spent. Feel free to explain what I might be missing.

Absolutely meaningless amount compared to what the CA High Speed Rail Authority has blown on that project. And no one batted an eye when Caltran bought Prius, LEAF, Tesla, Bolt/Volt, Mirai, etc.. Their program to be less polluting and more efficient goes all the way back to 2008.

 

[Riviot]

CalTrans Rivians feature EV Sportlne Running Boards

Aftermarket upfit under a CALTRANS contract? Did they deliver Rivians directly to you?

 

[True Brit]

Absolutely meaningless amount compared to what the CA High Speed Rail Authority has blown on that project. And no one batted an eye when Caltran bought Prius, LEAF, Tesla, Bolt/Volt, Mirai, etc.. Their program to be less polluting and more efficient goes all the way back to 2008.

How true, that rail project seems to be a major laughing point of California. As for the Caltrans and the new purchase, there is a slight difference in price between the Prius and the Leaf compared to the Rivian. It just seems that a better financial choice could have been made.

 

[VandalSibs]

How true, that rail project seems to be a major laughing point of California. As for the Caltrans and the new purchase, there is a slight difference in price between the Prius and the Leaf compared to the Rivian. It just seems that a better financial choice could have been made.

If they are wanting to get EV trucks, it's not a ton of choice that makes sense (You wouldn't get a Hummer EV truck for this kind of work due to it's dimensions). And as previously mentioned, last year they bought GM Silverado EV trucks, for about the same price.

 

[True Brit]

If they are wanting to get EV trucks, it's not a ton of choice that makes sense (You wouldn't get a Hummer EV truck for this kind of work due to it's dimensions). And as previously mentioned, last year they bought GM Silverado EV trucks, for about the same price.

One would think that cost and reliability should play a part in purchase decisions. Not just "wants."

Oh dear, not another bad report for EV vehicles.
https://www.torquenews.com/1083/con...1t-f-150-lightning-sierra-ev-and-silverado-ev

 

[VandalSibs]

One would think that cost and reliability should play a part in purchase decisions. Not just "wants."

Oh dear, not another bad report for EV vehicles.
https://www.torquenews.com/1083/con...1t-f-150-lightning-sierra-ev-and-silverado-ev

It's a government procurement - Caltrans took cost into account as well for sure. That means there was most likely lots of paperwork, analysis & number crunching.... this isn't just some guy with a Caltrans department credit card going nuts at Rivian.com.

 

[Administrator]

Be careful, everyone -- mods are hungry today.

I simply mentioned the reason for the end of CA EV HOV stickers in another thread, and the admin deleted (see: censored) my comment, blocked me from responding further, and sent me a no-reply/one-way DM about NO POLITICS).

It's clear that the mods have their own political leanings and are actually just censoring dissenting voices. Very sad.

We moderate based on no political leanings, but based on the simple NO POLITICS of any kind rule.

You very clearly made a political post and even acknowledged that it was in your post:

"Hey guys, Donald Trump did this to punish California because he is incapable of understanding he's also punishing his own supporters that live in the state. That's the reason.​

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Hope this helps.​

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If posting this fact ends this tread due to politics, well, sayonara!"​

LOL -- somebody was an RA in college...

Was never an RA, but don't need that experience to spot a clear political post like the one you received a warning for.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Bunch of nonsense. Regardless of political inclination, some people really need to learn to use Google before speaking out of buttholes. Expiration of HOV program for single occupancy EVs was decided back in 2015 with Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. It is not extended only because of current leadership. Emphasis on “not extended”. There was always a known end date. It takes mere seconds to look it up, as well as why Caltrans have been buying hundreds of EVs and hybrids since 2008.

 

[ramonJr]

The folks working there. The governor got an R1S and it was picked up by "four men in black".

That is correct, I noticed that a few weeks ago

 

[True Brit]

It's a government procurement - Caltrans took cost into account as well for sure. That means there was most likely lots of paperwork, analysis & number crunching.... this isn't just some guy with a Caltrans department credit card going nuts at Rivian.com.

I am sure you are correct, and therefore, Rivians are being used all across the US since the financials look so good. You probably see them a lot being used by the WSDOT up by you. Post a picture or two when you get a chance.

I am trying to think if I have seen any pictures from any other states that use them in their DOT fleet. I don't remember seeing any, but I probably just missed all of the pictures because I don't get in here enough.

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