Photo: Antoine Joubert
The launch of the first Rivian electric vehicles in Canada could be delayed once more. However, it’s not about supply chain or production issues this time, but rather a matter of certification.
After missing its initial target, which was last fall, the small automaker from Irvine, California pushed deliveries to the summer of 2022, then to November.
In the meantime, Rivian applied for a certification from Transport Canada in late September, but the application was unexpectedly rejected due to various non-compliance issues.
What exactly were those? In a statement sent to Drive Tesla Canada, Transport Canada simply explained that the company “has yet to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance to all applicable Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.”
Photo: Rivian
Our safety standards are indeed different from the ones effective in the U.S., where the Illinois-built R1T pickup and R1S SUV have been roaming the streets and beyond for nearly a year now. Obviously, without this certification, Rivian can’t sell its vehicles north of the border.
In a 10-K filing, Rivian mentioned “telltales, speedometer units of measure, certain labels, immobilizer requirements for anti-theft, and pass-by noise standards” as things that need to be fixed. Once that is done, it can reapply for certification by Transport Canada, which shouldn’t take long but is yet another hurdle in the delivery process for Canadian customers.
As a reminder, Rivian will start deliveries in markets where it has a service centre. The first one in Canada is scheduled to open this fall in Vancouver.
The company also plans to install over 3,500 fast chargers in more than 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2023. The so-called Rivian Adventure Network will mostly cover areas in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, along with a few in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Photo: Rivian
Keyword: Rivian Vehicles Still Aren’t Certified by Transport Canada