Concerns Over Cabin Temperatures
As summer heat waves intensify, Amazon delivery personnel are raising alarms regarding a recent software modification in their custom Rivian electric delivery vehicles (EDVs). According to reports from drivers, the update has made working conditions more challenging by automatically deactivating the air conditioning shortly after they exit the vehicle to complete a delivery.
Drivers have taken to online forums to explain that the cabin frequently reheats between stops, leaving them to return to an uncomfortably hot environment repeatedly throughout their shifts.
Details of the Software Change
Discussions among the workforce focus on the behavior of the climate control system following a recent update. Users claim that the system stops providing cooling roughly 30 seconds after the driver vacates the seat if the sliding cargo door remains open. One driver noted on a forum, "As many of you are aware, the EDVs just got a software update where if you are out of your seat for 30 seconds with the side door open, the AC switches off. We all hate this obviously."
Amazon's Response to Driver Claims
Amazon has pushed back against these claims, asserting that the software update was specifically designed to enhance, not limit, cooling capabilities for personnel. An Amazon spokesperson stated:
«Rivian recently released a software update for Electric Delivery Vehicles that actually extends climate control for drivers. As a result, the AC now runs for up to 10 minutes after a driver exits the vehicle, ensuring a cool cabin when they return. The timer resets at every stop. The AC only shuts off if the driver sliding door is left open for more than 30 seconds — a battery conservation measure.»
Impact on Delivery Operations
The core of the issue lies in the operational reality of delivery routes. Drivers frequently keep the side door open while maneuvering between nearby houses to maintain speed and efficiency. If the AC deactivates during these short intervals, the vehicle interior begins to warm up almost immediately.
One driver highlighted the practical limitations of this system, stating: «Thing is we are up and about waaaay longer than we are driving so the ac turns off and when it turns on again we are already getting up before … the air is even cold. It effectively made the ac not work and those vans get hot.»
While the company emphasizes that its fleet is equipped with climate control and cooling seats, labor advocates point out that heat-related safeguards are becoming a critical issue across the delivery industry, especially as older or less efficient vehicle systems struggle under extreme temperature conditions.