Rivian unveils next-gen R1 EVs to cut cost without affecting driver experience
Rivian has unveiled its next-generation R1S and R1T electric vehicles to cut cost without affecting the driver experience negatively.
In fact, the automaker is improving it.
It’s no secret that Rivian needs to cut costs. The automaker is currently losing about $36,000 on every vehicle it delivers.
The company has guided turning that into a slightly positive gross margin in Q4, which is coming fast.
Rivian has been approaching this issue from many different angles, including renegotiating with suppliers, but the biggest impact is expected to come with this redesigned next-gen version of the R1 platform.
Next-Gen Rivian R1
Today, Rivian is officially unveiling and starting deliveries of the next-gen R1S and R1T.
From a design perspective, the vehicles are fairly similar, with mostly a few new design accents, like beautiful new plaid accents throughout the vehicles, updated front and back lighting, and many UI changes.
However, the bulk of the update is under the hood, so to speak.
Rivian focused on updating hardware for efficiency, manufacturability, and cost. Here are a few examples:
The company updated its battery module. Here’s the first generation versus the second:
The new module design, along with the electronics system, have been updated for better efficiency and easier manufacturability.
Rivian commented:
New Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, making them easier to manufacture and service, while offering up to an estimated 420 miles of range.
The company also has a new module design for its Standard pack that now allows the use of LFP battery cells. Rivian is talking about an EPA-estimated 270 miles of range for this new pack.
Rivian also updated its drive units:
The company brought more motor design and manufacturing in-house, allowing for a more efficient packaging and implementation in its vehicles.
Rivian wrote about its new drive units:
The new R1 platform offers more power, performance, and range, thanks to a Rivian-designed and built drive unit offered in Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor configurations. The 1,025 horsepower Quad-Motor R1T delivers 0-60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds and a staggering 1,198lb ft of torque when using Launch Mode.A Rivian-built Dual-Motor is available as well. These motors are now designed, engineered, and manufactured fully in-house.
These new motors and batteries enabled an insane 2.5 seconds 0-60 time for the R1T quad motor. I managed to do a 2.7 seconds run on a drag strip last week, but some people were able to get 2.5:
Either way, it is insane for a pickup truck and enough to snap your neck back.
Where Rivian made some of the biggest improvements are in its electrical architecture and compute platform.
The company went from 17 ECUs found in first-generation vehicles down to 7 in this new one.
The new architecture allowed Rivian to remove 1.6 miles (2.6km) of wiring from each vehicle. For example, the automaker was able to eliminate this entire harness:
I lifted that thing up, and it was heavy. That’s great for the efficiency of the vehicle, but it also enabled Rivian to eliminate a lot of steps in its manufacturing, which should improve its manufacturing costs greatly.
A fear that I had with this next-gen platform from Rivian is that since cost-cutting was a priority, I thought it might lose some of its premia, but that’s not the case.
For example, the automaker greatly improved its ADAS hardware suite in the second-generation Rivian R1:
We are talking about 8 times the amount of megapixels in the cameras all around the vehicles and Rivian decided not to go vision-only. The automaker also has 5 radars and ultrasonics all around the vehicle.
Rivian also has a new on-board computer to handle all the data coming from those sensors:
The automaker plans to release increasingly more advanced driver-assist features, starting with autonomous lane changes, but it expects that its hardware suite will enable up to level 3 autonomous driving in the future.
One of the rare design changes to the next-generation R1 is the lighting system. For example, the automaker updated its lighting to communicate the charging state with this new design:
There are also a few new colors, both inside and outside, and Rivian is not cutting down on its premium feel there, which is great news.
The UI and software have been greatly updated with the new generation. Here’s a list of some of the new features:
- Car keys in Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch, and some Google Pixel devices
- Connect+, a new subscription service, supports streaming video through Google Cast and provides access to more than 3,000 apps
- Apple Music with Dolby Atmos support in Connect+
The new second-gen R1S will start at $75,900, and the new R1T will start at $69,900. Prices go up fairly quickly if you want the bigger battery packs and tri- or quad-motor powertrains. Rivian is already producing and delivering the new generation.
However, the bigger question is how much it costs Rivian to build them. We won’t have a complete answer on that for another few months.
Stay tuned for my first drive experience in the second-generation R1S and R1T later today.
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Tesla’s sales have fallen 87% in Quebec in the first quarter 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The critical Canadian market has been wiped out, and Tesla is no longer importing new vehicles.
Quebec is the leading EV market in Canada, with the highest adoption rate of new electric vehicles.
That’s due to incentives, cheap hydro electricity, and a strong base of EV enthusiasts.
As the EV leader in North America, Quebec became an important market for Tesla.
However, Tesla’s market in Quebec is now gone.
We don’t have all Canadian data for vehicle registrations in the first quarter; however, Le Devoir managed to obtain data for Quebec from the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), which revealed that Tesla delivered only 524 vehicles in Quebec during Q1 2025.
That’s down 87% compared to Q1 2024.
The pause in the Quebec and federal EV incentive programs contributed to the sharp decline, but the pause also happened in the quarter, which helped sales by creating urgency to buy and take delivery.
However, it also created an awkward situation for Tesla in which it was accused of filing thousands of questionable requests for incentives worth $42 million CAD, which it later claimed was a backlog of deliveries that it hadn’t filed yet.
This controversy added to growing brand damage for Tesla in Quebec and the broader Canada due to its CEO Elon Musk’s backing of Donald Trump, who is openly calling for the US to annex Canada.
Tesla’s Canadian Troubles are not over
While Q1 2025 was bad, Q2 could prove even worse. Tesla had to increase prices in Canada in April due to the Canadian government slapping 25% tariffs on its vehicles in response to Trump’s trade war.
The combination of the end of some incentive programs, the higher prices, and the degrading sentiment for Tesla in Canada and Quebec is leading to very few sales in the market.
A source familiar with the matter said that Tesla doesn’t plan to import more vehicles in the country this quarter due to low demand.
The broader EV market in Canada declined 45% in Q1 due to the pause in the incentive program, but Tesla’s decline was much sharper, indicating larger issues than just the lack of incentives.
Electrek’s Take
The situation for Tesla in Canada is even worse than in Europe right now. It’s not the largest market in terms of size, but it has a significantly higher EV adoption rate than the US and has helped Tesla in North America.
As long as the tariffs are in place, there’s little hope for Tesla in Canada.
Even if they are removed, which I hope happens soon, as it would mean a de-escalation of Trump’s dumb and illegal trade war, Tesla is still going to have major brand issues due to Musk’s backing of Trump and him saying some foolish things like “Canada is not a real country.”
All of those factors add to Tesla’s aging and limited lineup, which too heavily relies on Model Y, which had a refresh that wasn’t significant enough to revitalize sales.
It’s really hard to be optimistic about Tesla right now.
In Canada, Tesla currently has some inventory of the new Model Y, which it managed to secure before the tariffs. If you’re interested in a Cybertruck, there are plenty available. Although, I have a feeling that you are better off waiting a bit as I assume prices will come down.
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![Here's a closer look at Kia's low-cost EV2 [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Kia-EV2-closer-look.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Kia’s smallest and most affordable EV is already creating quite the buzz. The EV2 will sit below the EV3 in Kia’s expanding EV lineup. With its official launch approaching, the Kia EV2 was spotted on public roads, giving us a closer look at the upcoming electric SUV.
Take a closer look at the Kia EV2 caught on public roads
Although the EV2 will likely only be around 4,000 mm (157″) long, Kia promises it won’t feel so small when you’re actually in it.
Last month, we got a sneak peek of the interior at Milan Design Week. During an exclusive event, Kia showcased the EV2 concept and revealed a few new details we can expect to see.
Kia designed the EV2’s interior to be a relaxing retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle, sort of like a porch or balcony. Thanks to its flat floor layout, the SUV offers flexible seating. By folding the second-row seats and pushing the front seats forward, the EV2 offers an open space to stretch out or “enjoy a meal,” according to Kia.
Although no other details were offered, like Kia’s newer EVs, you can expect to see its new ccNC panoramic infotainment system with dual 12.3″ driver and navigation screens.
After the EV2 was spotted driving on public roads, we are getting a better look at Kia’s upcoming electric SUV. The video from ShortsCar reveals a front-end design similar to that of the EV3, EV5, and EV9, featuring its signature vertical daytime running lights (DRLs) and Star Map lightning.
Despite its small size, the EV2 has a surprisingly large presence on the road, thanks to its upright stance and broad wheel arches, reminiscent of the larger EV9.
A production version of the EV2 was also spotted in Germany this week, with its European debut just around the corner. The images by SH Proshots (via TheKoreanCarBlog) show a similar design to the model caught driving in Korea.
Kia will launch the EV2 in Europe and other regions in early 2026. Prices and final specs will be revealed closer to then, but the EV2 is expected to arrive with a WLTP range of around 300 miles (483 km). Smaller battery options could offer less range at a lower price.
Since it’s slated to sit below the EV3, which is 4,300 mm (169″) long, the EV2 is expected to be closer to 4,000 mm (157″) in length.
Like Kia’s other electric vehicles, it will be based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, which also underpins its IONIQ series.
Kia’s CEO, Ho-Sung Song, told Autocar that the company plans to launch the EV2 in the UK with prices starting at about £25,000 ($32,000). Since that was a few years ago, plans could have changed. We will learn more soon. Check back for the latest.
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Voltpost, a startup that turns existing lampposts into EV chargers, has officially launched its first public charging site in Oak Park, Illinois. The curbside charger, installed in partnership with the Park District of Oak Park and utility ComEd, brings easy, affordable EV charging access right to the neighborhood.
Instead of building entirely new charging stations, Voltpost retrofits existing lampposts with a modular Level 2 charging platform. That means less construction, lower costs, and quicker deployment – Voltpost says its EV charger can be installed on a lamppost in minutes. It’s controlled via a mobile app, and it’s designed to serve public spaces like curbs and parking lots, as well as private locations like university campuses and apartment complexes.
“The deployment of a Voltpost charger in Oak Park will expand EV charging access for the local community and help catalyze the transition to sustainable transportation,” said Voltpost CEO and cofounder Jeffrey Prosserman. “This builds on our work in New York and Michigan, and it’s a step toward scaling our platform nationwide.”
Voltpost says its approach is more sustainable and equitable, since it’s using infrastructure that’s already there instead of building from scratch. And it opens up EV charging to more people who don’t have a private driveway or garage.
Kassie Porreca, president of the Park District Board of Commissioners, said, “Ensuring the residents of Oak Park benefit from affordable access to EV charging infrastructure is vital to fulfilling our commitment to serving the needs of our community.”
Najwa Abouhassan, senior manager at ComEd and a liaison for the 2c2i climate tech initiative, said this project connects innovation with community impact. “We’re proud to support Voltpost’s mission to bring sustainable, street-level charging to the places people live and work.”
With this first public site now live, Voltpost says it’s aiming to expand across the country, turning more streetlights into smart charging hubs for EV drivers.
In 2023, Voltpost participated in the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Studio program, a collaboration between the NYC DOT and Newlab. In its pilot, Voltpost installed chargers on lampposts at Newlab in Brooklyn and in a DOT parking lot. The chargers were installed in an hour, operated with a high uptime, and got positive feedback from EV drivers.
Read more: This lamppost EV charger just went commercial in the US
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