EV maker Rivian’s Shelton service center on hold

SHELTON — A national electric vehicle company’s planned Shelton service center is on hold, at least for now.

The Planning and Zoning Commission, at a meeting in October, approved an application by Rivian, a U.S.-based manufacturer of electric trucks and vans, to occupy space it planned to lease space at 2 Mountain View Drive.

TD Properties, owners of 329 Bridgeport Ave., and Mario D’Addario Buick, Inc., the auto dealership that operates out of that address, then appealed the commission’s decision in November.

The suit, filed against the Planning and Zoning Commission and Rivian, LLC, states that Rivian’s operation will involve the “sale of new and used Rivian vehicles in violation of Connecticut law” as it will not be subject to Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles regulations since such electric vehicle manufacturers cannot sell directly to the public.

According to the appeal, the approval allows Rivian to service, market and sell its vehicles in the light industrial park zone, a right denied to other such franchises in Shelton.

The suit also states that Rivian, under state law, is not permitted to sell its vehicles directly to the public, and that includes delivery of online purchased electric vehicles to Connecticut for pickup.

Attempts to obtain comments from attorneys representing TD Properties and Mario D’Addario Buick, Inc., and Rivian were unsuccessful.

In their presentation to the commission last year, Rivian representatives stated the company planned to use the space for servicing its electric vehicles and as a pickup location for Rivian vehicles sold remotely.

There would be no sales or test drive activities at the site, attorney Alan Tyma, who represents Rivian, told the commission during the public hearing. Connecticut does not allow car manufacturers to sell directly to customers, although the legislature has considered bills that would change that.

Rivian received a special exception to operate an automotive service, office and moderate retail in an LIP zone. Zoning Administrator Alex Rossetti said the approval is needed because the regulations do not cover electric vehicle facilities.

Rivian currently makes three types of vehicles — commercial vans, specifically those used by Amazon, SUVs and trucks.

The Mountain View Drive service center will be the single tenant in the existing 27,469-square-foot building. The space will be used for service, delivery, parts and storage, and a “front-of-house” area, which will take up to around 25 percent of the building and provide a customer lounge with seating and meeting areas.

Factory delivered vehicles would be inspected and detailed for final delivery to customers from the service area, Tyma had stated. Vehicle servicing would include wheel alignment, hardware replacement and software programming, in addition to the pre-delivery inspection.

All work would be conducted inside the building, accessed through two main entrances via overhead motorized doors and additional man doors, according to the application. Electric vehicle charging stations would also be located inside and outside the building for the service team and Rivian-owned vehicles.

“Unlike a traditional dealership, we do not carry inventory on site because our vehicles are customized and made to order via our website,” the application stated.

The application does state Rivian would like this site to be allowed to have sales along with service if the state allows manufacturers of electric vehicles to sell directly within Connecticut in the future.