- In a PR win for Rivian, the American EV manufacturer has launched a new scheme called ‘The Good Project’.
- Under the program, nonprofit organisations near to the Rivian spaces of Brooklyn, Denver, Austin, and Atlanta will be able to apply for a chance to borrow a Rivian EV on a short-term basis, free-of-charge, in order to help carry out their non-profit activities for greater good.
- It remains to be seen whether the scheme will make its way to other U.S. cities, in the future.
Rivian’s new non-profit EV loan scheme
The first organisation to benefit from the scheme has been the Billion Oyster Project in New York, which got access to Rivian’s large electric SUV, the R1, to aid in carrying out its mission of cleaning up New York’s harbours, helping bring back an oyster population which has been largely wiped out due to pollution and garbage. Carrying out that work in a zero-emission vehicle only adds to the sustainability of the project, which suggests why Rivian have gone down the route of offering EVs to organizations that specifically do good in the community.
Whilst any nonprofit organization within the aforementioned areas can apply for a chance to have free use of a Rivian EV, for up to ten days, the manufacturer will be giving priority to projects which more closely match Rivian’s overall mission of sustainability. In a similar good PR move for the manufacturer, the owner of the Rivian R1T that was swept away in Hurricane Helene, but was found and now undergoing a final checkup by Rivian, has been loaned another Rivian free of charge, so that they can carry on delivering help to affected families in his area.
Rivian said on the start of the scheme:
“We’re thrilled Billion Oyster Project was the first official recipient of Rivian’s new community vehicle loan program, The Good Project. Beginning this month at Rivian spaces in Brooklyn, Denver, Austin and Atlanta, we’re making an R1 available in each city for qualifying nonprofit organizations to borrow on a short-term basis. We can’t wait to see all the ways The Good Project vehicles will be put to work in support of the greater good, particularly work that aligns with Rivian’s mission to Keep the World Adventurous Forever.”