Global logistics giant UPS has invested in electric vehicle startup Arrival – the deal accompanied by an order for 10,000 electric delivery vans.
But, remarkably, that order has been dwarfed by a similar arrangement that global online retailer and tech company Amazon has struck with another EV startup, Rivian.
Amazon – one of a number of investors, including Ford, who together have ploughed $US2.8billion into Rivian in the past 12 months – wants the company to build it a staggering 100,000 electric delivery vans!
And that, Amazon says, is the world's single biggest EV purchase. 
In both cases, the EV makers are working closely with their investor customers to custombuild electric vans specifically for their purposes.
Amazon says that its 100,000 Rivian vans will be on the road before 2030 – the first of them going to work next year….and with 10,000 in use by 2022.
Rivian has revealed scale-models of the Amazon vans and delivery drivers are trying out the vans – "driving" them via a virtual reality simulator so they can provide feedback on what needs to be designed into the van interiors.
The van's dash will synchronise with Amazon's logistics management system, creating routes to optimise speedy deliveries. It'll also have integration with Amazon's Alexa artificial intelligence, so drivers can ask Alexa to help find packages in the van.
Rivian says it will build three sizes of Amazon vans, using the same "electric skateboard" platform that's the base for its R1T electric pickup truck, its R1S electric SUV and Lincoln's first electric SUV.
UPS says its deal with Arrival gives it priority access to purchase more than its initial order of 10,000 vans.
With Arrival it's using advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for the vans – the technology increasing safety and operating efficiencies, including the potential for automated movements in UPS depots. Testing of ADAS features will begin this year.
Arrival produces its own chassis, powertrain, body and electronic controls, and says UPS' bespoke EVs – also based on flexible skateboard platforms – are being designed to "meet the end-to-end needs of UPS from driving, loading/unloading and back-office operations."
UPS says that the Arrival vans "are the world's most advanced package delivery vehicles – redefining industry standards for electric, connected and intelligent vehicle solutions."