A TikTok video posted by an Amazon delivery driver has gone viral for offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the company’s new electric delivery vans and for the driver’s candid reactions to the features inside. The short clip, which has racked up thousands of views, shows a Bakersfield, Calif., driver identified as @1100young_e inspecting the vehicle before heading out on his route, drawing a mix of curiosity and confusion from viewers.
While Amazon has been steadily rolling out electric delivery vehicles from multiple manufacturers—most prominently Rivian but also models from Ford and Stellantis—some commenters identified the van in the video as a Chevrolet BrightDrop Zevo 600, GM’s electric commercial delivery vehicle (previously branded as the EV600). Though the video doesn’t show any clear external badging, the dashboard design and cabin layout resemble the BrightDrop’s interior seen in official promo materials and delivery fleet deployments.
A Peek Inside The Cab
The video itself is brief but packed with details. The driver shows off the cab’s control panel and comfort features, and he offers a view into the cavernous rear cargo area that is notably bare of shelves or storage systems. That lack of shelving raised eyebrows among commenters, who wondered how the vehicle could function effectively for deliveries without the standard infrastructure.
But the driver clarified in the comments: “I was a rescuer that day so it was smooth, but with a route yeah that’s rough.” In Amazon parlance, a “rescuer” typically refers to a driver assigned to help others complete their routes, often by taking overflow packages. That means the vehicle wasn’t being used in a traditional delivery capacity that day, explaining the stripped-down cargo bay.
Still, the video highlighted the sometimes improvisational nature of Amazon’s delivery operations and raised broader questions about how well these new electric vans are prepared for real-world conditions.
BrightDrop Zevo 600: A Quiet Entry Into The Fleet
Amazon’s more high-profile electric delivery partnership has been with Rivian, which is producing 100,000 custom electric delivery vans for the e-commerce giant as part of a deal struck in 2019. But Rivian is not the only player in the game.
The Chevrolet BrightDrop Zevo 600, which began deliveries in 2022, is part of GM’s strategy to electrify the last-mile delivery segment. Designed with input from logistics companies, the Zevo 600 offers an estimated 250 miles of range, fast charging capabilities, and a modular interior built for efficiency. Companies like FedEx and Merchants Fleet have already deployed BrightDrop vans, and Amazon was previously reported to be exploring multiple EV vendor relationships.
If this TikTok video is indeed showing a BrightDrop van, it suggests Amazon is now running multi-vendor pilots or expanding beyond its exclusive Rivian agreement. Given Amazon’s stated goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the company diversify its EV fleet.
EV Fleets Meet Real-World Challenges
As electric delivery vans continue rolling out across North America, early feedback from drivers will be crucial. Amazon has been tight-lipped about the specifics of its multi-vendor strategy, but videos like this provide unscripted glimpses into how things are really going on the ground.
EV rollouts in commercial fleets face different hurdles than those in personal vehicles: charging logistics, maintenance downtime and ergonomic design all play a critical role in determining whether a vehicle succeeds. Amazon’s use of an unshelved BrightDrop, whether temporary or part of a phased approach, shows how those challenges are still being worked out in the field.
Whether the empty cargo bay raises logistical red flags, one thing is clear: The electrification of last-mile delivery is no longer hypothetical. It’s clocked in and ready for its route.
InsideEVs reached out to the creator via direct message.
