EV maker Rivian is considering making electric bicycles

American EV start-up Rivian has filed a new trademark, but instead of the adventure-focused pickup trucks and SUVs that Rivian has made its name on, the company is testing the waters for a potential electric bicycle.

Rivian has quickly risen to prominence with its all-electric pickup trucks (utes) and SUVs, even though it has only just begun delivering the first vehicles to customers. Rivian stunned investors back in November when it kicked off its IPO, with opening day trading valuing the company at just under $US100 billion – making it the sixth most valuable carmaker.

Interest in Rivian has expanded well beyond the market floor, with the Amazon-backed start-up boasting North American pre-orders of over 55,000 at the start of November for its R1T electric ute and R1S electric SUV.

But it seems that Rivian’s recent splash in the electric vehicle pool is not enough for the company, who earlier this month filed with the United States Patents and Trademark Office to expand the use of its trademark name for electric bicycles.

It’s worth noting that many companies file trademark applications for imaginary products that never end up seeing the light of day.

However, as was aptly pointed out by TechCrunch, the e-bike industry has seen significant growth of late, with a recent analysis showing the sales of e-bikes growing by 240%. Further, vehicle manufacturers are starting to see the value of combining e-bikes with their electric vehicles as an optional or built-in extra.

Meanwhile, as sales suggest, increasing demand for e-bikes has resulted in a surge of new e-bike options and innovation.

Rivian’s trademark application seeks to apply its name and trademark to the following items:

“Bicycles; bicycle structural parts; electric bicycles; electric bicycle structural parts; electric bicycle components specially adapted for electric bicycles, namely, battery packs, motor controllers, electric motors, throttle controls, pedal assist sensors, display consoles, wiring harnesses, sprockets, cassettes, chains; bicycle frames; bicycle pedals; bicycle horns; bicycle brakes; bicycle chains; bicycle gears; bicycle wheels; bicycle seats; bicycle tires; bicycle cranks; bicycle tags; bicycle mudguards; bicycle motors; bicycle saddles; bicycle pumps; bicycle bells; bicycle handlebars; bicycle trailers; bicycle kickstands; bicycle seat posts; fitted bicycle covers; bicycle wheel spokes; bicycle wheel rims; bicycle stands; bicycle pedal straps; bicycle parts, namely, derailleurs; bicycle water bottle cages; bicycle carriers for vehicles; pumps for bicycle tires; inner tubes for bicycle tires; bicycle parts, namely, disk wheels; bicycle parts, namely, brake shoes”

A recent patent also filed by the company shows a plan to include a way of storing a bike in the drop-down tray of the R1T electric ute.

Whether or not we’ll see a Rivian-branded e-bike anytime soon is up for grabs, but given their recent success and innovative EV thinking, a Rivian e-bike could be a great addition to their line-up of adventure-focused vehicles.