Rivian Lifeguard EV Spotted in The Wild

Yesterday, Glenn Moss, Sr. Service Engineer at Rivian for Drive Unit Service Processes, reported on his LinkedIn account spotting a rare sighting of one of Rivan’s excellent R1S EVs in real-life use as a lifeguard vehicle.

Moss said: “This past weekend in Laguna Beach, I spotted a Rivian R1S decked out as a lifeguard vehicle and it looked right at home on the sand. It’s cool seeing our electric-adventure vehicles being used for real-world rescue work. This project was the result of our upfitting team working closely with the lifeguards to understand their needs and uses for the vehicles.”

In November 2024, RivianTrackr.com reported that Rivian donated two of its all-electric R1S SUVs to Laguna Beach’s Marine Safety team. These sleek, eco-friendly vehicles will now serve as part of the city’s fleet for beach patrols and emergency response, ensuring both safety and sustainability along the coastline.

The Rivian R1S is designed to handle the tough terrain of coastal environments, making it an ideal fit for Laguna Beach’s demanding patrols. With the ability to tackle sand and surf with ease, these vehicles will assist in responding swiftly to emergencies, from rescues to incidents along the shore. Plus, with Rivian’s signature electric powertrain, the R1S offers zero emissions, helping keep the beaches cleaner and reducing the environmental footprint of the city’s emergency response operations.

Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf applauded the partnership, noting that it embodies the city’s ongoing commitment to both public safety and sustainability. “We’re excited to use these electric vehicles to keep our beaches safe while caring for the planet,” said Kempf. The donation is a clear demonstration of how electric vehicles (EVs) can be effectively integrated into essential services—making a real difference in both community well-being and environmental stewardship.

Rivian’s donation is more than just a gesture; it’s a model for how cities can utilize electric vehicles to improve essential services. This collaboration between Rivian and Laguna Beach not only strengthens the local Marine Safety team’s capacity to protect residents and visitors, but it also sets a powerful example for other cities across the country. As more communities embrace sustainable practices, Rivian’s donation highlights the growing role of EVs in supporting both safety and sustainability.

By combining advanced technology and environmental care, Rivian and Laguna Beach are proving that safety and sustainability can indeed go hand in hand. This partnership is a bright example of how we can work together for a greener, safer future.

Rivian is one of the Leading EVs for Emergency Vehicle Use

Along with lifeguard vehicles, EVs are excellent for police and other emergency uses as well. EVinfo.net reported that in March 2025, Palo Alto, California has become the first city to debut Rivian’s electric police cruiser, with the vehicle making a grand entrance during Mayor Ed Lauing’s “State of the City” speech. At the time, we wrote that the police version of the R1S still needs some modifications before it’s fully ready for service, still needing light bars, push bars, and other essential upgrades, but despite that, it’s already a sight to behold, complete with the familiar black-and-white police livery and the Palo Alto police badge proudly displayed on the side.

Michigan State Police Chooses Ford Mach-E as First Patrol BEV

EVinfo.net reported in January that the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced on January 15, 2024, that it is making an important step toward sustainability and innovation in law enforcement with the addition of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, to its patrol fleet.

GM Leads Police and Fire EV Market with GM Envolve

In November 2024, EVinfo.net reported that the GM Envolve team showcased the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Tahoe, and Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicles at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) testing event in Sacramento, California.

Cody Collins, Regional Director, GM Envolve – Western U.S., spoke with EVinfo.net about the GM Envolve team’s participation in the CHP testing event in Sacramento.

Collins said: “This weekend, the GM Envolve team had an incredible opportunity to showcase the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Tahoe, Silverado (Police Pursuit Vehicles) at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) testing event in Sacramento. Watching the game-changing, all-electric Blazer EV PPV in action was inspiring — it represents not just a commitment to innovation, but a bold step towards a more sustainable future for law enforcement.”

Collins continued, saying: “The Blazer EV PPV is designed with purpose, meeting the unique needs of our public safety partners while delivering the power, range, and reliability they can count on. To see it shine in real-world testing reaffirms that we’re leading the charge in EV solutions that support critical missions. Grateful to everyone involved, especially Bobby Quick, Ken Kennedy and the entire support team, who made this possible alongside our dedicated engineering team. A big thank you as well to California Highway Patrol and all those in public service who push boundaries every day.”

EVinfo.net’s Take

Along with every kind of vehicle that moves across land, water and air, emergency vehicles are quickly being upgraded to fully electric. Our transportation future is electric, moving further away from dirty gasoline at every step. These EVs save police, fire and lifeguard departments significant money, along with being more eco-friendly vehicles.

EVinfo.net recommends fast, fun, reliable and high-quality EVs by Ford, Hyundai/Kia, Rivian, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, GM, Porsche, Volkswagen, Lucid Motors, Audi, Mini Cooper, Polestar, Volvo, Jeep, and Honda. Rivian, and all of these companies are quickly gaining US EV market share, and it will be exciting to see who wins the new number one EV seller crown soon.