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Software Update Automatically Turns off Amazon Delivery Drivers’ AC During Dangerous Summer Heat (www.404media.co)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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A software update to some Amazon delivery vehicles is automatically turning off the air conditioning after a few seconds if the driver is not in their seat, according to multiple Amazon delivery drivers who are complaining about the update online.

According to Amazon delivery drivers, the new update is for the Amazon EDV (electric delivery vehicle), the custom-built Rivian van. Delivery drivers say that this update automatically turns off the air conditioning in the van if the driver is not in the vehicle for more than 30 seconds. Drivers are complaining about the update as the start of the summer season, which can be particularly difficult and dangerous for delivery drivers.

“As many of you are aware, the EDVs just got a software update where if you are out of your seat for 30 seconds with the side door open, the AC switches off,” one Amazon delivery driver said in an online forum for drivers. “We all hate this obviously.”

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[–] 8 points 4 months ago (6 children)

Yeah, I think it’s more energy-intensive to keep turning the A/C on and off again and again, but there’s definitely a point where it’s more wasteful if the door is kept open long enough and it’s more friendly to the battery (and environment) if you turn it off. But it’s a moot point here because as long as the driver is delivering that door will have to be opened again and again and they’ll need the cabin cool either way.

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  • [–] 13 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    The "turning thing on and off Uses more energy than just leaving it on" thing is largely a myth based on a complete misunderstanding of how most electronics work and a lack of understanding of thermodynamics.

    Most electronics (even light bulbs) do have an energy spike at power on but the spike is measured in milliseconds (if that).

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago (1 child)

    Yes but there is an external factor involved here: leaving the door open for extended periods of time. If we’re talking about energy saving for the battery, and you can probably extend that to the environmental effects as well, at some point it’s more cost effective to turn the A/C off. I’m not gonna argue if 30 seconds is that point, people who know more can confirm that.

    Now obviously what they are NOT taking into account is driver comfort and the fact they are literally being timed down to the second with their deliveries to the point they leave the door open just to shave off a couple of seconds on each stop.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Your AC turns itself off and on repeatedly through it's normal running cycle to prevent frost building up - your fridge and freezer does this as well.

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  • [–] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

    Yes, but it does that with the doors generally closed most of the time. An A/C that has to keep turning on and off way more frequently because it gets warmer immediately due to a door being open more than closed is different.

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