City of Laguna Beach and Rivian Partner to Drive Sustainability with Electric Vehicle Donation

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The City of Laguna Beach marked a milestone in sustainability Monday at Main Beach Park by initiating conversion of its vehicle fleet from gas powered to electric. Rivian, a California-based electric vehicle manufacturer, supported this effort by donating two R1S electric SUVs to the City. The vehicles, designed to operate on rugged terrains, will be deployed for a three-year trial within the Marine Safety Department to assess their effectiveness in beach patrols and emergency response operations.

At the event, Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for the partnership. “This generous donation from Rivian is a significant step forward in Laguna Beach’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative public safety solutions,” she said. “We are truly grateful to Rivian for their support and partnership in helping us drive sustainable change and improve safety for our residents and visitors. By integrating zero-emission vehicles into our Marine Safety fleet, we’re setting a sustainable example for cities nationwide.”

The Marine Safety Department plans to deploy the Rivian R1S vehicles in various roles critical to beach safety. These include routine beach patrols, rapid response to water-related emergencies, and first aid assistance along the coastline. The electric SUVs are particularly suited to off-road and sandy environments, allowing lifeguards to reach emergency sites quickly and efficiently while minimizing their environmental impact. Over the three-year trial, the department will track the vehicles’ performance, assessing aspects such as durability, battery efficiency, and effectiveness in diverse conditions.

Nicola Freeman, Manager of Rivian’s flagship Laguna Space, also shared excitement about the partnership. “We’re proud to support Laguna Beach’s commitment to sustainability and public safety by providing vehicles that align with the City’s environmental values,” said Freeman. “Our R1S is designed for both versatility and durability, making it ideal for the demanding work of the Marine Safety Department. We’re thrilled to see our vehicles play a role in keeping Laguna Beach’s coastline safe.”

Following the presentation, Rivian representatives outlined the customization process, which includes outfitting the vehicles with emergency response gear and City decals. Rivian will provide upfitting and maintenance at no cost to the City, ensuring the R1S vehicles are fully equipped to meet the operational demands of Laguna’s dynamic beach environment.

Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond emphasized the importance of this initiative for the department’s future. “The addition of Rivian’s electric SUVs to our fleet is an exciting opportunity to test cutting-edge technology in real-world rescue and patrol scenarios. These vehicles are not only environmentally friendly but also offer the power and durability needed for our critical safety operations,” Bond said. “We are grateful to Rivian for this generous donation and their dedication to supporting our mission to protect Laguna Beach’s residents and visitors.”

The City Council approved a $40,000 allocation from the Vehicle Replacement Fund to support the installation of necessary charging infrastructure and additional emergency response equipment. The trial period, extending until July 2027, will allow the City to evaluate the viability of electric vehicles for ongoing use in its Marine Safety operations.

Following the ceremony, attendees joined a reception at Rivian’s Laguna Beach location on South Coast Highway, where city officials, residents, and Rivian team members celebrated the beginning of this sustainable venture.

From left to right: Marc Navarro (Senior Manager of Real Estate for Rivian), Nicola Freeman (Manager of Rivian’s flagship Laguna Space), Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond, Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, Laguna Beach City Councilmember Mark Orgill, Hannah Steinweg (Public Policy Manager for Rivian), Laguna Beach City Councilmember George Weiss, Laguna Beach City Councilmember Bob Whalen, Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi.