Connect with us

Published

on

American EV automaker Rivian has shared its full financial report and shareholder letter for Q1 2025. The quarterly update details continued gross profits and a growing interest in the company’s two flagship BEVs. Rivian is also making headway in developing its second model, R2.

Rivian ($RIVN) continues to roll along as a prominent shaker in the American EV space, especially as legacy competitors scramble to adapt to the ever-evolving threat to their assembly lines due to proposed tariffs and an ongoing trade war with other global superpowers like China.

Ahead of today’s full Q1 2025 report, Rivian has shared its delivery numbers for the first three months of the year, shipping out 8,640 R1S and R1T models to customers. This was to be expected, as Rivian CFO Claire McDonough said during the Q4 earnings call that the automaker anticipated the dip in deliveries, citing a “supply shortage of a component in our Enduro motor system” that began in Q3 2024.

Despite the notable drop in EV deliveries compared to previous quarters, Rivian relayed that it remained on track to deliver between 46,000 and 51,000 EVs in 2025. This afternoon, Rivian adjusted that target alongside financial updates pertaining to Q1 2025.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Rivian Q1 2025
Source: Rivian

Rivian’s Q1 2025 report by the numbers

The main headline of Rivian’s Q1 2025 was its gross profit of $206 million. That marks the American automaker’s second consecutive quarter of reporting gross profit as well as its highest to date. Rivian shared that of that $206 million mark, $92 million came from the automotive segment and $114 million came from its software and services segment.

Rivian also achieved an 85% increase in cash flow from operating activities in Q1 2025 compared to a year prior. As we spoke about earlier this week with a teaser image of Rivian’s new Maximus drive unit posted by CEO RJ Scaringe, reducing the cost-per-unit of its BEV components while increasing production efficiency – a key goal of the company at the moment.

According to the automaker, it has achieved a $22,600 reduction in automotive cost of goods sold per vehicle delivered in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024.

Rivian also looks to bolster its balance sheet very soon, thanks to a previously announced joint venture with Volkswagen Group worthy of an investment of up to $5.8 billion. According to Rivian’s Q1 2025 report, its gross profit milestone has unlocked $1 billion from VW Group through said joint venture and is expected to be finalized by June 30, 2025.

While Rivian said its delivery targets were on track a month ago, the American automaker has since revised its annual numbers, citing the current economic trade environment around the world:

While Rivian has 100% US vehicle manufacturing and a majority of its bill of materials (excluding cells) coming from the U.S. or USMCA-qualified, Rivian is not immune to the impacts of the global trade and economic environment. The company’s guidance represents management’s current view on evolving trade regulation, policies, tariffs and the overall impact these items may have on consumer sentiment and demand. As a result of these impacts, Rivian has revised its delivery outlook to 40,000 to 46,000 vehicles.

That’s not a huge slide, and if Rivian hits the top end of that target, it would still equal the lower end of its previous goal for 2025. Looking ahead, Rivian said it is maintaining its outlook range for adjusted EBITDA of a $1.7 billion loss to a $1.9 billion loss. Rivian also relayed an expectation to achieve “modest positive gross profit for the full 2025 fiscal year. Lastly, Rivian is raising its capital expenditure guidance to between $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion, citing an expected impact from tariffs.

Other Rivian updates

Aside from the numbers, Rivian’s Q1 2025 shareholder letter included several progress updates, particularly regarding its highly anticipated R2 EVs. According to the company, it has commenced design validation builds on its R2 prototype line using production tooling.

The new 1.1 million-square-foot manufacturing expansion at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois, production facility, where the general assembly line for the R2 will be, is progressing on schedule and will “allow for additional manufacturing efficiency gains.” That new building will also house a new body shop.

This week, we learned that the new expansion will also be joined by a supplier park supported by a $16 million incentive package from Illinois.

Following today’s Q1 2025 report, Rivian will host an audio webcast to discuss the details above at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET today. Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Google agrees to fund the development of three new nuclear sites

Published

on

By

Google agrees to fund the development of three new nuclear sites

People take photos in front of a giant Google logo at Google’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California on Aug 13, 2024 where the “Made by Google” media event was held today.

Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images

Nuclear developer Elementl Power said Wednesday it’s signed an agreement with Google to develop three sites for advanced reactors. It’s the latest example of tech giants teaming up with the nuclear industry in an effort to meet the vast energy needs of data centers. 

Google will commit early-stage development capital to the three projects, although the exact terms of the deal remain private. Each site will generate at least 600 megawatts of power capacity, and Google will have the option to buy the power once the sites are up and running. The proposed locations remain private, but Elementl said Google’s funding will be used for things like site permitting, securing interconnection rights to the transmission system, contract negotiations and other early-stage matters.

“Google is committed to catalyzing projects that strengthen the power grids where we operate, and advanced nuclear technology provides reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google. 

“Our collaboration with Elementl Power enhances our ability to move at the speed required to meet this moment of AI and American innovation,” she added.

Elementl Power, which was founded in 2022 as a nuclear power project developer, hasn’t yet built any sites.

The company is currently technology agnostic, meaning it hasn’t yet chosen what type of reactor it will use at its sites. Rather, when the company is ready to begin construction it will choose the reactor technology that’s furthest along in development.

“Innovative partnerships like this are necessary to mobilize the capital required to build new nuclear projects, which are critical to deliver safe, affordable and clean baseload power and help companies advance their long-term net zero goals,” said Chris Colbert, Elementl Power’s chairman and CEO. Colbert was previously CFO, COO and chief strategy officer at NuScale Power, which is developing small modular reactors

Colbert added that once the projects reach a final investment stage Elementl will raise capital from other sources – for example infrastructure funds – to actually build the projects. The company is aiming to add 10 gigawatts of nuclear to the grid by 2035. 

In October, Google teamed up with small modular reactor company Kairos Power, pledging to buy power from the company’s fleet of reactors. At the time, Google said the first reactor would enter service by 2030, with more coming online through 2035.

Earlier this year, China’s AI startup DeepSeek prompted concerns that the improved efficiency of emerging AI models may reduce the need to invest in the build out new power sources to support data centers. However, tech leaders such as Amazon and Nvidia have since said the need for baseload power is continuing to grow at a quick pace.

In April, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark estimated 50 gigawatts of new power capacity will be needed by 2027 to support AI. That is the equivalent of about 50 new nuclear plants.

Catch up on the latest energy news from CNBC Pro:

Continue Reading

Environment

Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

Published

on

By

Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

Tesla has opened orders for the Model Y Long Range RWD for $45,000 in the US. It’s the new entry-level Model Y following the design refresh earlier this year.

Since launching the updated Model Y earlier this year, Tesla has only offered the best-selling electric SUV in a single Long-Range AWD configuration.

First, it was as a fully-loaded $60,000 Launch Edition, and last month, it started deliveries of the regular Model Y AWD starting at $49,000.

As we recently noted, Tesla didn’t have much of an order backlog for the new Model Y in the US, and it has already started gathering new Model Y AWD in inventory just weeks after launching the vehicle.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Tesla even started offering subsidized financing rates on the new SUV this weekend.

Now, the automaker is starting to take orders for the new Model Y Long Range RWD

The new trim starts at $44,990 and enables 357 miles of range – an extra 30 miles over the AWD version.

However, due to its single motor powertrain, the lower-priced version is slightly slower with a 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds rather than 4.6 seconds.

The automaker says that deliveries of the new version will start in the US in the next 3 to 5 weeks. It launched the new Model Y RWD in Europe weeks ago.

Tesla also offers a Standard Range RWD in Europe and China for even cheaper, and deliveries have already started in China.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla appears to have waited to open orders for the Model Y RWD in the US to optimize demand for the Long Range AWD.

But now it needs a cheaper model to sustain demand at the current production rate.

In the coming weeks, it will start building a mix of RWD and AWD in Fremont and Austin to

Interestingly, Tesla currently only offers the subsidized 1.99% financing rate on the Model Y Long Range AWD. I would assume that Tesla plans to take advantage of the boost in demand that the cheaper model will create.

However, US buyers probably won’t have to wait more than a few weeks before Tesla starts to offer lower interest rates on all versions, like it already does in Europe and China.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

Published

on

By

Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got some of the highlights of the 2025 ACT Expo, including the all-electric Windrose and Mack Pioneer Class 8s trucks, a hydrogen fuel sell [sic] from Honda, a fun charging surprise, and – after an eight year wait – we finally get a ride in the all-new (in 2017) Tesla Semi!

ACT Expo is North America’s premier clean truck and transport trade show – and for 2025 it was bigger than ever, with more exhibitors and more, more capable battery electric vehicles than ever. The downsides? NACFE have scored with their “messy middle” messaging, and the return of “clean diesel” talking points. We’ve got a brief rundown and links to all the details, below.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending