I don't normally write a lot about brands and athletes partnering with one another, but when two of my favorites come together its hard to resist. In this case, I'm talking about Alex Honnold becoming a new brand ambassador for Rivian, the electric vehicle start-up that I covered for Popular Mechanics a few weeks back and mentioned here on this blog around the same time.Rivian made waves at the L.A. Auto Show in November with the unveiling of its electric pickup truck and SUV, both of which have been built from the ground up with outdoor adventurers in mind. Naturally, this fits well with Alex's brand too, as in addition to being one of the best climbers on the planet, he is an environmentalist and sustainability activist too. Using an electric vehicle has been shown to be a way to cut down on auto emissions dramatically, which is amongst the leading causes of greenhouse gases that have been linked to climate change.
In a story posted to the Rivian website, the company says that they have been working with Alex for awhile now, but he recently got the chance to see the new R1T electric pickup truck in person for the very first time. The accompanying photos give us a good look at the truck too, although having already seen it in person, I can tell you that it is beautiful, functional, and something I'd very much like to put into my garage at some point. We'll all have to be patient, since the truck doesn't start shipping until late 2020, with the R1S SUV following close behind in 2020.
For those who don't necessarily see where Alex and an electric vehicle company would come together, consider this. Through his Honnold Foundation, Alex has already been working on all kinds of sustainability projects around the world, including installing solar panels to help bring clean energy to developing regions. In the Rivian article he is quoted as saying, "Though climbing, I've been fortunate to travel the world and felt a responsibility to do something positive for it in return. The Honnold Foundation supports environmental projects that simultaneously improve the standard of living for communities and people who need it most."
As someone who admires Honnold's climbing abilities and his commitment to improving the planet, plus someone who is now a big fan of what Rivian is doing, this partnership seems like the perfect fit. I can't wait to see more from all involved.
