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

Joules Burn

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I was getting a tire balance at the West Sacramento Center and noticed this R1T.

They then mentioned that Caltrans bought 450 Rivians!

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Mathme

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• #2

Nice...

 

UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan

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• #3

 

OP

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Joules Burn

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UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan said:

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They will be deployed all over the State. R1T and R1S. It will be good incentive for CA to get the infrastructure improved.

 

Riviot

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Why do they need rock sliders? And did they come from the factory that way?

Did I miss a memo about factory rock sliders?

 

Time2Roll

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• #6

Riviot said:

Why do they need rock sliders? And did they come from the factory that way?

Did I miss a memo about factory rock sliders?

Click to expand...

That shipment is probably from an outfitter.

I do wonder if someone got the referral on that order

 

Riviot

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Time2Roll said:

That shipment is probably from an outfitter.

I do wonder if someone got the referral on that order

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Corporate/government/bulk orders are handled by a different team.

 

UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan

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Riviot said:

Why do they need rock sliders? And did they come from the factory that way?

Did I miss a memo about factory rock sliders?

Click to expand...

Their Silverado EVs have steps too. Must be a department requirement. Help crews to get in and out?

 

RedRaiderRivian

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• #9

Riviot said:

Why do they need rock sliders? And did they come from the factory that way?

Did I miss a memo about factory rock sliders?

Click to expand...

Curbs. DOT vehicles have to drive over curbs all of the time.

 

AYAYRON

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• #10

Joules Burn said:

I was getting a tire balance at the West Sacramento Center and noticed this R1T.

They then mentioned that Caltrans bought 450 Rivians!

Click to expand...

anyone else immediately go "that's where the fireaid money went" and then feel bad about thinking that LOL

 

Last edited: Sep 9, 2025

Time2Roll

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AYAYRON said:

anyone else immediately go "that's where the firaid money went" and then feel bad about thinking that LOL

Click to expand...

Actually no.

 

Joe Hoffman

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• #12

I’m sure if you ordered 450 vehicles you would also get a call from RJ asking “how would you like those configured”?

 

Yota2R1T

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Amazing! Great to see fleet uptake!

 

UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan

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• #14

These might be leased, not purchased. We don't know which. And they, along with the Silverado EVs already in service, might actually be lowering Caltrans' operating costs (fuel and maintenance). Plus, with Rivian's fleet management software they can probably keep better track of how these are used; than their ICE fleet.

 

Last edited: Sep 9, 2025

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• #15

A big reason some CA fire departments went with Rivian was fire risk. Not having a hot exhaust system and catalytic converter under the car makes a huge difference to fire risk for vehicles that have to drive over those dry grasses.

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