Rivian unveils R2 electric SUV: surprises with cheaper price and a ‘one more thing’
Rivian has unveiled the R2 electric SUV, its next-generation electric vehicle, and there were a few surprises despite some leaks before the unveiling.
We also got a very interesting “one more thing” moment.
We already knew a great deal about the R2 thanks to a few leaks over the last week.
The leak, which came straight from the code on Rivian’s website, mentioned a range of “up to 330 miles”, a starting price of “$47,000”, an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds, and “coming in 2026”.
Today, Rivian held the actual unveiling event, and we saw the R2 in full for the first time. It’s our first complete look at the design, and an interesting update at the specs and pricing compared to the leak.
Rivian R2 Design
In terms of the design, if you are familiar with the R1S, the car is going to look very familiar to you.
Rivian has clearly decided to stick with its design language, which has already been successful with the R1S, the best-selling vehicle over $70,000 in the US.
Rivian is doubling down its main design differentiator: its vertical headlights.
R2 has a significant front trunk, or frunk, that appears to be of significant size:
One of the main new exterior design features is a roll-down rear window enabling larger objects to fit in the back.
The rear quarter windows can also open at an angle for better aerodynamic performance with airflow:
The charge port is on the rear passenger side as you can see in the picture above.
Electrek’s Jamie Dow was able to open it after the unveiling event – showing only a NACS connector in there.
As for the interior of the Rivian R2, there are a few interesting features. For example, you get not one but two gloveboxes:
The response that RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s CEO, received from the crowd after this announcement was surprisingly enthusiastic.
Another difference from the existing R1S/R1T design is the removal of the speakers in the doors, leaving more space for storage, and of course, it wouldn’t be a Rivian without a flashlight:
The interior design does look sharp and similar to what we are already used to with the R1S/R1T, albeit a little less luxurious, which is unsurprising.
Rivian also showed that the back seats and both front seat fold completely flat:
When it comes to the cockpit, Rivian is leveraging the existing design and user interface of the R1S/R1T with a slightly different twist for the more compact R2.
While the cockpit looks familiar, it does have a brand new steering wheel with “integrated haptic control dials”. You can see the scrolls on each side. They are massive.
The front seats do seem like a bigger downgrade from the very luxurious situation that you would find in R1S/R1T
Rivian R2 Specs
In terms of specs, the Rivian R2 is delivering on virtually everything.
Rivian announced over 300 miles (483 km) of range for all variants, which will include single motor RWD, dual motor AWD and tri-motor AWD.
The leak from Rivian’s website earlier this week did mention “up to 330 miles” of range.
The tri-motor version will get from 0 to 60 mph in “less than 3 seconds”, which is bringing the SUV into supercar territory.
As for the dimensions, the vehicle is virtually the same size as the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling vehicle in the world. It’s pretty clear what market Rivian is going after here.
Here’s a size comparison with the R2’s bigger brother, the R1S:
Rivian also announced hands-free and attention free autonomous diving on highways coming to the R2.
That would make the vehicle level 3 self-driving.
Now, Rivian didn’t talk about timing for that. It’s not clear if it’s going to be available at launch or through future software updates, but the automaker did release the planned hardware suite:
Rivian is also planning a series of new accessories to enable more adventure with the R2.
The R2 is also enabled by a new vehicle platform powered by a new 4695 battery cell format:
Tesla has been pioneering the use of large cylindrical battery cells in its vehicles with the 4680, which has been replicated by several other automakers.
Rivian is going a step further with an even bigger 4695 cell – 15 mm taller than Tesla’s.
Rivian R2 Price and Availability
The earlier leak suggested a $47,000 starting price for the R2, but at the unveiling, RJ actually announced a starting price of $45,000. That’s a nice surprise.
If that’s before incentive, which it sounds like it is, it is a very aggressive price – making the vehicle competitive with several other electric SUVs in the segment, including the previously mentioned best-selling car in the world: the Model Y.
Rivian aims to bring the vehicle to market in “the first half of 2026”. RJ said that Rivian is accelerating the R2 program timeline by starting production at its existing Normal, IL, factory rather than the upcoming Georgia factory, which RJ insisted is still in the plans.
Electrek’s Take
This hits the mark on many levels. It has great pricing for the specs and many different powertrain options to suit everyone’s needs. A few differentiating features and
I know some are not pleased with the design – calling it a carbon copy of the R1S, but it’s a proven successful design language and it’s nothing new for companies to keep with a strong design that carries across its lineup. Think of companies like Volvo.
Honestly, the biggest negative of this vehicle is that it can’t come soon enough. 2026 is still 2 years away, and the market can change a lot during that time.
But Rivian needs that time to get its house in order and show that it can produce the R1S/R1T profitably before moving in to cheaper vehicles.
Speaking of cheaper vehicles, RJ had a Steve Jobs “one more thing” moment at the R2 unveiling.
He also unveiled the Rivian R3 and R3X: a smaller hatchback with a similar design as the R2, and its performance sibling with wider wheels and a more aggressive design presented as its own model.
Pricing and availability were not released for those models.
I do really like the R3. It’s kind of a Gremlin mix with an IONIQ 5. The R3X has clear rally car vibes.
That said, I do get worried about Rivian spreading itself thin with 2.5 new vehicle programs.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Ram is once again delaying its first electric truck: Here’s when you can expect to see it now
If you’re waiting on Ram’s electric pickup, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Ram is yet again delaying its electric pickup truck, the 1500 REV, and the Ramcharger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. Here’s when you can expect to see them reach dealerships now.
When is Ram delaying its electric pickup truck until now?
Ram’s first electric pickup truck was initially scheduled to arrive by the end of 2024. Last year, former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the launch date would be pushed back to the first half of 2025 and then 2026.
Here we are, and the Ram 1500 REV is still nowhere in sight. According to a new memo sent to suppliers, Ram is again delaying the electric pickup truck.
The note, viewed by Crain’s Detroit Business, said production is now being pushed back until summer 2027. It will now arrive as a 2028 model year. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ramcharger version will also be delayed until the first quarter of 2026.
Stellantis confirmed the news in a statement to Crain’s, saying the delay was due to “extending the quality validation period.”
A company spokesperson explained in an email that Stellantis “continues to reassess its product strategy in North America to align it with our competitive advantage with the Range Extended Ram and in light of slowing consumer demand for half-ton BEV pickups.”
After pulling the PHEV Ramcharger ahead of the EV pickup last year, Stellantis blamed weak demand for electric trucks.
Outperforming the competition, or falling behind?
The Ram 1500 REV will be available with a massive 168 kWh battery, which provides an estimated 350-mile range. Ram said a larger 229 kWh battery option would be available later, with at least 500 miles range.
Tavares promised for years that Ram’s EV pickup would “outperform all competitors” where it matters most in range, towing, and charging times. The Ram 1500 REV is expected to arrive with a towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs and a 2,700 lb max payload.
In comparison, Ford’s F-150 Lightning offers a driving range of up to 320 miles, a 10,000-lb max towing capacity, and a 2,000-lb max payload capacity.
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV offers up to 492 miles of range, 12,500 lbs of towing capacity, and 1,800 lbs of max payload capacity.
Tavares said last year that Stellantis is “facing a very significant amount of workload” with the first electric Jeep and Dodge models, the Wagoneer S and Charger Daytona, rolling out.
Stellantis sold 2,595 electric Jeep Wagoneer S and 1,947 Dodge Charger EV models in the US in the first quarter of 2025.
Ford F-150 Lightning sales are down 7% compared to last year, with 7,187 models sold through March. Meanwhile, GM sold 2,383 Chevy Silverado EVs, 3,479 GMC Hummer EVs (including the SUV), and 1,249 GMC Sierra EV models in the first three months of the year.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Tscherning, a large Danish construction company, announced that it returned its entire corporate fleet of Tesla vehicles because of Elon Musk.
In Europe, Tesla is suffering from major brand damage due to its CEO’s involvement in politics.
Sales had already been declining in 2024, but the decline dramatically accelerated in 2025 after many people started to become increasingly concerned about Musk’s backing of Trump and far-right political parties in Europe.
The problem is that not only is Tesla missing out on new sales, but current Tesla owners are also rushing to sell their vehicles because they don’t want to be associated with the brand at all.
This is also true of corporate sales, which are popular in Europe.
Last year, we reported on Rossmann, one of the largest pharmacy chains in Europe. Rossmann had a large Tesla corporate fleet and decided to sell it because of Musk’s actions.
Tscherning, a large Danish construction company, was in a similar situation. It had electrified its corporate fleet using Tesla vehicles, but it announced this week that it returned them all:
At Tscherning, we not only decide how we drive – but also who we drive with. That’s why we’ve chosen to hand over the keys to our Tesla company cars – not because Tesla has become a bad car, but in light of Elon Musk’s political commitment and the opinions he has publicly expressed (and which are increasingly hard to overlook), we as a company have chosen to say “thank you for the ride.”
The company added that it doesn’t want to be “associated with the values and political direction that currently accompany the Tesla brand.”
It will instead buy “European alternatives” to Tesla vehicles.
Tscherning shared a video of returning its Tesla vehicles:
Electrek’s Take
The situation for Tesla in Europe right now is not sustainable. I’m afraid there will likely be major layoffs and even store closures.
Despite the availability of the new Model Y for the full quarter, Q2 is currently tracking about the same as Q1, which was down 40% year-over-year:
The two lines at the bottom are Q1 and Q2 2025. As you can see, they are tracking way bellow every single quarters in the last 3 years.
And now with corporate fleets being returned and existing owners selling their cars, if you really want a Tesla, you are way better off buying it used with those cratering prices.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
North American homeowners who drive EVs can bump up against limited residential electrical capacities when it comes to installing Level 2 chargers. ELECQ is changing the game with the debut of its Power Monitor, which places smart EV charging at the core of home load balancing and solar integration.
ELECQ Power Monitor solves home energy headaches
Home EV charger installation can be tricky due to limited electrical panel capacity and the high cost of upgrading a home’s service. Without smart systems, that often means wasted solar power, higher energy bills, and chargers that trip the system when too much is running at once.
Active Load Management (ALM) solves this by dynamically balancing a home’s total energy usage, allowing EVs to charge without overloading the system or requiring costly upgrades. This is where ELECQ’s home energy management system comes in. The ELECQ Power Monitor tracks your home’s load and communicates with the ELECQ Level 2 EV Charger.
ELECQ Power Monitor automatically balances residential loads in real time, eliminating the need for expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades. It intelligently prevents overloads, enhancing the safety and reliability of your home’s electrical system. By proactively managing your home’s energy use, ELECQ ensures you avoid overload risks, keeping your family safe and your electricity stable.
Seamless solar EV charging
ELECQ’s real-time monitoring and intelligent algorithms maximize EV charging directly from solar-generated energy. This reduces reliance on the electrical grid and fully utilizes your solar investment, and it also improves household energy efficiency. The ELECQ Power Monitor unlocks three solar charging modes to maximize the use of excess solar energy to charge your EV:
- Only Solar mode: Exclusively uses solar-generated power for EV charging, entirely bypassing grid power.
- Solar Priority mode: Prioritizes solar power for EV charging but supplements with minimal grid power if necessary.
- Unlimited mode: Utilizes solar power primarily while the grid provides supplementary energy as needed, ensuring maximum charging speed.
Using the ELECQ app is a breeze
ELECQ’s intuitive app offers homeowners effortless management and scheduling of EV charging, providing real-time visibility into your home’s energy consumption and solar production.
The ELECQ EV charger hooks up to both 2.4G and 5GHz Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth, so you can manage charging straight from the Elecq app—anytime, anywhere. Set it to juice up during off-peak hours and save cash on your energy bill. And you’ll automatically get the latest over-the-air updates.
The ELECQ app makes setting up and using the Power Monitor a breeze, too. You can schedule charge times, track how much power you’re pulling from the grid or your solar panels in real time, and see exactly what each session costs. Need the receipts? You can export detailed reports for every charge, right from the app.
Safe and reliable technology
The ELECQ Power Monitor and Level 2 EV charger are built with safety and reliability at the core, so you don’t have to worry when the weather or the grid gets unpredictable. The system keeps an eye on your home’s electrical load and solar production, using high-precision sensors that help it operate smoothly with panels up to 200 amps. Everything is UL certified, RoHS compliant, and tested to prevent overheating, short circuits, or fire risks.
Whether it’s a lightning strike or a power surge, ELECQ has your back. With 10kV/5kA surge protection and tough NEMA 4 and IK10 certifications, this setup is made to handle just about anything, from blizzards to blazing heat. That means it not only protects your home, but also your EV battery and charging hardware. The EV charger is safe to install indoors or out. Plus, the ELECQ Power Monitor uses Wi-Sun technology to automatically communicate with the ELECQ Level 2 EV Charger – it doesn’t even need wifi.
The ELECQ Power Monitor is UL-certified, ensuring it meets strict U.S. safety and performance standards.
Why choose ELECQ?
ELECQ stands distinctively apart from other home energy solutions like Tesla and other traditional chargers because it’s universally compatible with solar installations and actively optimizes energy consumption.
- Unlike Tesla’s more closed ecosystem, which often requires proprietary components like the Powerwall and Gateway, ELECQ offers an open and flexible solution. This reduces installation complexity and minimizes ecosystem lock-in, ensuring broader compatibility with diverse home energy setups.
- Compared to traditional chargers, ELECQ enables millisecond-level data transmission with high reliability and strong wall penetration by adopting Wi-SUN, and minimal interference—unlike traditional Wi-Fi connections, which often suffer from instability and limited coverage.
ELECQ saves money and energy
The ELECQ Power Monitor and Level 2 EV charger not only combines smart home energy management with Level 2 charging but also delivers substantial savings on money and energy.
ELECQ smartly taps into your solar setup to make sure you’re squeezing every drop of clean energy out of it. That means less grid power, lower energy bills, and more money in your pocket. And since you’re using more renewable energy and less fossil-fueled electricity, you’re also shrinking your home’s carbon footprint without even thinking about it.
Order the ELECQ Power Monitor on Amazon here.
Order the ELECQ Level 2 EV charger 50A on Amazon here.
Transform your home energy future with ELECQ
ELECQ empowers homeowners across North America to manage energy more efficiently, reduce energy costs, enhance safety, and fully capitalize on solar investments. With ELECQ, smarter, greener home energy management is finally accessible and effortless.
Discover how ELECQ can redefine your energy future today. Follow ELECQ on Facebook here and on LinkedIn here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway