Rivian is still on track to launch the midsize R2 next year. The expansion at its Normal, Illinois, plant is quickly advancing as it preps for R2 deliveries in 2026. Rivian says it’s “slightly ahead” on construction. Here’s the latest update on Rivian’s R2 expansion in Normal.

Rivian R2 launch is still on track for 2026

Even during the Illinois winter, Rivian said construction has progressed well. Rivian is building a new 1.1-million-square-foot building on the east side of the plant, which will be the body shop and general assembly for R2.

The Normal plant, where Rivian builds the current R1S, R1T, and Electric Commercial Van, is already 4.3 million square feet. Once the upgrades are complete, the plant will be able to produce up to 215,000 vehicles a year, up from the current 150,000.

Soon, Rivian expects to finish the roof while interior work has already begun. Tony Sanger, VP of production facilities at Rivian, gave us a few updates on its progress.

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According to Sanger, all new buildings are “going vertical.” In other words, the walls, structural components, and roofing are well underway.

Rivian finished the walls for the new Body, General Assembly, and End of Line building. The structural steel is 70% complete, while the roof decking is about 60% finished.

Sanger said, “We are running slightly ahead on this building.” The Parts Pre-Treat and E-Coat Dip building is nearly completely weather-tight, and Rivian expects its integrator to start landing equipment next month.

Rivian’s R2 expansion is still “on track” with the midsize platform set to launch in 2026 as planned. Sanger explained that prefabrication has been key to staying ahead.

Although the new 1.1 million square foot building required Rivian to take down its test track, it’s building a new high-speed track, expected to open this spring.

Earlier this month, CEO RJ Scaringe gave us a sneak peek of the R2 body as it preps for production. Although Rivian will begin building R2 in Normal, it expects output to ramp up significantly at its new EV plant in Georgia.

The Georgia facility is expected to come online in 2028 with up to 400,000 annual vehicle production capacity. Rivian says R2 is just the start, with other variants, like the smaller R3 and sporty R3X, launching shortly after.

Starting at about $45,000, the R2 will be nearly half the cost of Rivian’s current R1S ($77,700) and R1T ($71,700).

BYD’s new Sealion 05 EV is finally here, and it’s even better than expected. The mass-market electric SUV is loaded with BYD’s “God’s Eye” smart driving tech, has up to 323 miles of driving range, and starts at just around $16,000. It even has a built-in refrigerator.

BYD launches new Sealion 05 EV, a smart electric SUV

Does your car have a mini-fridge? If it does, it likely wasn’t under $20,000. BYD is on fire. After launching the new Qin L EV yesterday, a new Tesla Model 3 rival but at half the cost (119,800 yuan/ $16,500), BYD has another trick up its sleeve.

BYD officially launched the Sealion 05 EV on Tuesday. The smart electric SUV is available in three trims and starts at 117,800 yuan ($16,200).

Powered by a 50 kWh LFP battery, the base “Zhihang” Edition has up to 430 km (267 miles) of CLTC driving range. The mid “Smart” Edition and “Flagship Smart” models have a 60.9 kWh battery, providing up to 520 km (323 miles) of CLTC driving range.

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The Sealion 05 EV is 4,520 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,630 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. That’s slightly smaller than the new Tesla Model Y launched in China (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,624 mm tall).

In comparison, the base Tesla Model Y RWD starts at 263,500 yuan ($33,300) and has a CLTC range of up to 593 km (368 miles). The Long Range AWD starts at 313,500 yuan and has a range of up to 719 km (447 miles).

The BYD Sealion Smart Edition starts at 127,800 yuan ($17,600), while the flagship trim costs 137,800 yuan ($19,000).

With DC fast-charging speeds of up to 156 kW, the Sealion 05’s battery can charge from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

All trims are equipped with BYD’s “God’s Eye” C driving assist system. BYD’s DiPilot 100 is a “three eye” intelligent driving platform powered by five radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and another 12 cameras for ADAS features like High-Speed Navigate On Autopilot, Full-Scenario smart parking, and active safety.

Like the Qin L EV sedan, BYD’s new electric SUV adopts a revamped interior with a 12.8″ floating center screen and an 8.8″ driver display.

It even includes a built-in refrigerator to keep things cool (or even heated) on the road. Despite its compact size, the Sealion 05 EV has plenty of storage with a 110 L “extra large” frunk (front trunk) and a 600 L trunk that can expand to 1,460 L with the rear seats folded.

Spring and summer are all about adventure – whether you’re hitting the open road in your RV, setting up camp in the great outdoors, or just being prepared for unexpected power outages. But what’s a road trip, tailgate party, or off-grid escape without reliable power? BLUETTI has the ultimate solutions to keep you charged no matter where you are.

Right now, the Elite 200 V2 portable power station is hitting a record-low price of just $899 – the best deal ever! And Electrek readers get an exclusive extra 5% off with the discount code ELECTREK5OFF. Let’s dive into why these BLUETTI portable power stations are must-haves for your spring and summer adventures.

Elite 200 V2 – the ultimate portable powerhouse

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect power station, the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 is it. This game-changing 2kWh solar generator is not just powerful—it’s built to last 17 years, thanks to automotive-grade LiFePO4 battery technology. That’s 6,000+ charge cycles, meaning you can count on it for daily use without losing reliability.

Space is valuable, especially in an RV or tiny home, and the Elite 200 V2 is 40% smaller than its predecessor. At just 13.7 x 9.8 x 12.6 inches, it fits anywhere while still packing an impressive 2,073.6Wh battery and 2,600W output – with up to a 3,900W Power Lifting Mode for running high-power devices like hair dryers and hot plates.

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Perfect for any scenario

• Home Backup: Keep a 100W fridge running for 16.8 hours, power your wifi router, and stay prepared for outages.
• Camping & road trips: Charge your coffee maker, phone, and even a space heater for chilly nights.
• Tailgating & events: Power speakers, cooking appliances, and all your entertainment needs.
• Remote work & truckers: Keep your essentials running, no matter where the road takes you.

Fast, flexible charging

Who wants to wait around for a power station to charge? The Elite 200 V2 supports three rapid charging options, including Turbo technology that gets it to 80% in just 50 minutes with dual AC and solar input. You can also recharge in 4.2 hours from your car or tap into the sun with 1,000W max solar input, thanks to its built-in solar tracking technology.

Super quiet, ultra-efficient

No more noisy generators! The Elite 200 V2 runs at just 16dB – quieter than a whisper. And with an ultra-low idle consumption of under 10W per hour, it keeps your power consumption efficient. Even if left on overnight, it retains 94% of its charge, far outperforming competitors.

Built to withstand any adventure

The Elite 200 V2 isn’t just powerful – it’s built to handle anything. With fire-resistant, shock-proof construction, it’s designed for both everyday use and rugged outdoor environments. The advanced BLUETOPUS AI-BMS smart battery management system ensures safety by regulating charging, preventing overheating, and offering multi-chip protection. You can confidently connect high-powered devices, run car fridges through the dedicated car outlet, or charge up via high-voltage solar panels without worrying about stability. Plus, with prismatic LFP cells, the battery structure is more durable and energy-dense compared to traditional cylindrical cells, ensuring both safety and longevity.

Versatility meets convenience

For van lifers, truckers, and off-grid enthusiasts, the Elite 200 V2 is a game-changer. It can power up to nine devices simultaneously with four AC outputs, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a cigarette lighter port, making it easy to power everything from laptops and cameras to kitchen appliances. The LCD screen and smart app connectivity provide real-time monitoring, so you’re always in control of your power usage. Whether you’re setting up a mobile workstation or keeping your campsite lit all night, this power station does it all.

Best price ever – get yours now!

You can buy the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 on BLUETTI’s website here or on Amazon here.

For a limited time, the Elite 200 V2 is available for a record-low $899 – and don’t forget to use ELECTREK5OFF at checkout for an extra 5% off.

BLUETTI Charger 1 Alternator Charger  – high-speed car charging on the go

Long road trip ahead? The BLUETTI Charger 1 Alternator Charger  keeps your power station topped up while you drive. It delivers a blazing-fast 560W charge – six times faster than a standard car charger.

• Works with all BLUETTI power stations and most brands
• Smart protection keeps your vehicle battery safe with automatic on/off features.
• App-controlled for real-time voltage monitoring and adjustments.
• Active fan cooling for optimal performance and longer lifespan.

Quick to install and backed by a two-year warranty, the Charger 1 Alternator Charger is currently on sale for $249, and is a must-have for any road trip. You can buy it here.

The AC180 Solar Portable Power Station is perfect for those who need reliable power with 1,800W AC output and 2,700W Power Lifting Mode to handle power-hungry appliances. With a capacity of 1,152Wh (AC180) or 1,440Wh (AC180P), it ensures you have plenty of backup for extended trips.

Featuring 11 output ports, it can charge multiple devices simultaneously, making it ideal for families or work setups. Charging is effortless with four flexible recharging options, including AC, solar, car, and generator. And with the BLUETTI app, you can monitor and control it remotely. Even better, it charges from 0-80% in just 45 minutes with a 1,440W AC input, keeping downtime to a minimum. The AC180 Solar Portable Power Station is currently on sale for $449 – that’s a $250 discount. You can buy it here.

For those seeking a more compact option, the AC70 Portable Power Station delivers 1,000W of rated power with a 2,000W lifting mode for extra output when needed. It has a 768Wh capacity, providing reliable power on the go. Thanks to 850W Turbo Charging, it can reach 80% in just 45 minutes. If you prefer renewable energy, the 500W solar input ensures a full charge in only 2 hours. With 7 versatile outlets, you can charge everything from laptops to small appliances.

Built with LiFePO₄ battery technology, it boasts 3,000+ charge cycles, offering a long-lasting, eco-friendly power solution. Plus, its 20ms seamless UPS function ensures uninterrupted power in case of an outage. The AC70 Portable Power Station is currently on sale for $359 – a $240 discount. You can buy it here.

Get the best portable power station deals now

BLUETTI’s portable power stations make spring and summer adventures stress-free – and now is the time to buy with the best deals yet! The Elite 200 V2 is only $899 (lowest price ever), plus an extra 5% off with ELECTREK5OFF.

For more great BLUETTI spring sale deals of up to 54% off, please visit BLUETTI’s website and BLUETTI’s Amazon Store

Don’t miss out – power your adventures today!

About BLUETTI

BLUETTI has been committed to promoting sustainability and providing clean energy solutions since its inception. By offering eco-friendly energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use, BLUETTI aims to provide exceptional experiences for our homes while also contributing to a sustainable future for our planet. This commitment to sustainable energy has helped BLUETTI expand its reach to over 100 countries and gain the trust of millions of customers worldwide.

Follow BLUETTI on Twitter/X here and on Facebook here.

All photos: BLUETTI

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