From electrifying HelloFresh’s fleet, to debuting ice cream scoop trucks with Ben & Jerry’s, it’s been exciting to see the possibilities using the van’s platform. But we took on our most dramatic upfit yet when Grey’s Anatomy came to Rivian looking for an all-electric ambulance for Season 22, a critical setting for Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The one-of-a-kind “vanbulance” built from the body of a Rivian Commercial Van was born from a close collaboration between the show’s production team and Rivian’s Special Projects and Design Studio teams.
When the Grey’s Anatomy team sought to integrate cleaner solutions into their production, air quality became a top priority—both for crew well-being and the show's storyline. The vanbulance solved this challenge: with zero tailpipe emissions, it eliminated fumes to create a much healthier set and fictional hospital environment. As an added benefit, the elimination of engine noise brought a welcome quiet while cameras were rolling.
The goals of the upfit were to make the ambulance as authentic as possible and production-friendly for the show team. While productions typically need one vehicle for exterior shots and a separate one for interior scenes, we engineered the Rivian Commercial Van to do both seamlessly. The walls and roof panels are completely removable, allowing the directors to get camera angles through the sides and top of the vehicle.
We wanted to ensure what you see on screen felt authentic to real ambulances too, so the Rivian team went on research field trips to the Huntington Beach Fire Department, while the Grey’s team consulted with the Los Angeles Fire Department. Their feedback directly informed the layout, from the specific ingress and egress requirements to the addition of a second captain’s chair in the front cabin. Their feedback was invaluable to understand how first responders actually use their vehicles.
To meet unique production needs, we engineered bespoke solutions including replacing the rear rollup door with double doors, adding a side entry to the cargo area, and modifying the bulkhead door to include a window and a hidden panel for easier camera access. The team also created a custom exterior “Seattle Emergency Response Services” wrap and lighting. As a final touch, the team added custom fittings on the van frame to accommodate exterior camera, grip, and lighting rigging.
While the vehicle we built for Grey's Anatomy is for a fictional world, there's certainly potential for real-world application. We are really proud that Rivian R1 vehicles are part of emergency service fleets today, including the Palo Alto Police Department and Contra Costa Fire Protection District in California. We look forward to seeing electric ambulances on the road knowing the unique benefits to first responders and the communities they serve.
Look out for the vanbulance on Season 22 of Grey’s Anatomy which airs on ABC on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET, and 9 p.m. CT, with episodes streaming on Hulu the following day. For more information on the Rivian Commercial Van, visit www.rivian.com/fleet.
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