AT&T announced a new partnership with Rivian Automotive, Inc. to purchase electric vehicles for its commercial fleet through a pilot program to cut transport emissions. AT&T plans to add the Rivian Commercial Van and R1 vehicles to its fleet in early 2024 to evaluate how these vehicles can help improve safety, reduce costs, and cut carbon footprint.

As a leading provider of connectivity to all Rivian vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, AT&T will also be the exclusive provider of connectivity to all of Rivian’s vehicles. This will enable a smarter, safer, and more connected driving experience for customers and over-the-air software updates to improve the vehicles with new features consistently.

“This pilot is another important step in our ongoing efforts toward sustainability, reducing our carbon footprint and embracing a cleaner future for our operations. With advanced connectivity and a vision for a sustainable future, Rivian is setting the standard for the evolving demands of modern transportation,” said Hardmon Williams, SVP of AT&T Connected Solution.

AT&T has a track record of delivering sustainability results for its operations and business customers. The company aims to reduce fleet emissions to support its carbon-neutral commitment by 2035. Its strategy includes:

• Optimizing routes.

• Switching to hybrid and electric vehicles.

• Reducing the overall size of the fleet.

AT&T also uses AI to make its fleet more efficient, driving 20% fewer miles each year and reducing emissions by 51 million pounds.

Why the Rivian Van for AT&T? 

The Rivian Commercial Van is engineered to be one of the safest vehicles today, with features such as automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility. In addition, the vehicles run with Rivian’s in-house software stack, which underpins the fleet management system, improving efficiency and contributing to a lower total cost of ownership.

“We’re very much looking forward to expanding our relationship with AT&T to help them achieve their climate goals. Our category-defining vehicles offer some of the most advanced technology in the sector and are continually improved through over-the-air updates. We’re excited to collaborate with AT&T as we work together to help cut emissions and protect our environment,” said Dagan Mishoulam, VP of Strategy and Fleet at Rivian.

As one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, this partnership between AT&T and Rivian is a significant step in the journey toward a more sustainable future for the transportation sector.