Rivian partners with MEVCO for mining EVs

After some quietly-conducted trials in Australia recently — including off-road demo days in Perth — EV fleet specialists to the mining and services sector, MEVCO, has signed up as exclusive global partners with EV company Rivian Automotive.

MEVCO (Mining Electric Vehicle Company), based in Australia, specialises in providing sustainable and efficient EV fleet solutions to the mining industry. 

The company is tasked with customising the Rivan R1T ute to mining specifications to make them to operate in the harshest of conditions in both surface and underground mines. In addition, MEVCO will support its mining customers with EV charging infrastructure, maintenance, and workflows.

MEVCO said that the collaboration “signals a new standard for responsible and forward-thinking mining practices and is a catalyst for positive change in the mining landscape."

MEVCO CEO Matt Cahir said: “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. 

“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 that the shift to electric solutions extended 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.”

MEVCO said that the Rivian R1T is the only ute – electric or otherwise – in the US to earn the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Rivian vice president of strategy, Dagan Mishoulam, said the MEVCO partnership was another important step for the company.

“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,” he said.

“We’re delighted they are electrifying their fleet with us, and we’re excited to help them reduce tailpipe emissions.”

The move solidifies Rivian’s expansion plans after the company had initial hiccups with production and financing.

Its platform is in developing and building specialised EVs and accessories that are designed to excel at work and play with the goal of accelerating the global transition to zero-emission transportation and energy. 

Rivian vehicles are built in the US and are sold directly to consumer and commercial customers. The company also provides a full suite of services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and stay true to its mission “to keep the world adventurous forever.”

MEVCO’s goal is to provide the mining industry with sustainable and efficient EV fleets. It invests in researching the best green-light fleet options for all mining environments and develop solutions based on its insights and rigorous testing. 

It said that its team includes leading industry specialists across mining, automotive and tech that are guided by a highly experienced board. 

MEVCO’s offerings include vehicles (its current focus) as well as a roadmap for data-powered insights with MEVCO Connect, charging solutions with MEVCO Charging, and ongoing support with MEVCO Support.

MEVCO announced in February last year that it had partnered with Australian-based, but global, EV manufacturer SEA Electric to electrify 8500 utes for the mining industry.

Mineral Resources (MinRes) will be the first miner in Western Australia to take delivery of the Australian-engineered SEA electric utes for its mine site operations.

The investment is a demonstration of MinRes’ commitment to decarbonise its mining operations in Western Australia, which includes two of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium mines.

MinRes last year placed the order with mining industry vehicle supplier and global systems integrator MEVCO, under the partnership deal with SEA Electric.

SEA Electric’s Melbourne factory is converting the vehicles from diesel-powered engines to all-electric using its SEA-Drive power-system.

The utility vehicles purchased by MinRes will be fitted with an 88kWh battery that provides a range of up to 380km and can be charged up to 80 per cent in less than one hour.

The mine site-ready electric vehicles produce no noise, fumes, heat or vibrations.

A demonstration model has been on trial in Perth and MinRes is expected to soon take delivery of the first batch of electric utes.

MinRes, which is committed to net zero emissions by 2050, will use the electric utes at its mine operations across Western Australia, including at the Koolyanobbing iron ore mine in the Yilgarn.

The addition of the electric utes comes two years after MinRes took delivery of the first all-electric light truck to roll off the SEA Electric production line.

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