Australians Can Now Purchase a Rivian, But Good Luck Getting Behind the Wheel | Carscoops

      A fleet of Rivian EV pickups is set to go to auction in Australia, but new buyers may never be able to drive them on public roads.

      MEVCO’s Rivian R1T trucks will be auctioned following the company's bankruptcy. Some vehicles have been modified for mining purposes, featuring bull bars and additional equipment. However, left-hand-drive Rivians cannot be legally registered for use on Australian roads.

      Australia has a strong market for pickup trucks, yet Rivian’s all-electric offerings remain unattainable for local consumers—at least for the time being. The American EV manufacturer has not introduced any right-hand-drive versions, hindering its entry into the Australian market.

      This situation might change indirectly due to a group of Rivian R1T trucks that became stranded in Australia. These vehicles may soon be available for public purchase, but there's a significant drawback: they cannot be legally driven on the road, which poses a challenge for prospective owners.

      So, what led to their arrival in Australia? The brief answer involves MEVCO, a Perth-based startup established in 2022, which aimed to provide fully electric light commercial vehicles for the mining industry.

      The company acquired 13 Rivian R1Ts in 2024 for local trials, in addition to three electric Toyota Hilux utes converted by SEA Electric. Unfortunately, MEVCO's aspirations were short-lived. After facing difficulties in securing funding and accumulating debt, the firm entered administration in September 2025.

      As part of the liquidation process, the entire fleet is now set for auction. The Rivians will be sold via Grays Auctions in Western Australia, offering local EV enthusiasts a rare opportunity to own one of the U.S.-made trucks, albeit with notable restrictions.

      Can they actually be used?

      According to Australian law, left-hand-drive vehicles can only be registered for road use if they are over 30 years old. There are limited exceptions for rare imports, but these Rivians, being mass-produced, likely won’t meet the criteria.

      Consequently, buyers will be limited to using the vehicles on private property, such as farms, mining sites, remote tracks, or driveways not connected to the public road network.

      Technically, converting the vehicles to right-hand drive could make them street-legal, but this is not an inexpensive process.

      As reported by the Australian outlet Drive.com.au, the Rivians will be auctioned in Western Australia through Grays Auctions.

      The Rivians in MEVCO’s fleet are second-generation models featuring dual electric motors, with several modified for Australian mining use.

      Press images reveal various added features, including a bull bar, sports bar, Kevlar underbody protection, wiring harnesses for auxiliary equipment, and a custom sliding drawer positioned behind the cabin.

      Michael Fernandes, State Operations Manager for Grays Auctions in WA, stated, “We’re currently collaborating closely with the administrator and completing our legal and compliance due diligence to ensure that when these vehicles become available on the market, ownership will transfer to buyers as smoothly as the vehicles operate.”

      He also noted that further details regarding the auction sale will be shared once the formal process permits.