With Tesla’s Cybertruck just weeks away from deliveries, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said he doesn’t see “a lot of overlap” with its current models. However, he’s happy it exists, giving customers different choices.
Rivian CEO not worried about Tesla’s Cybertruck
Scaringe was a guest speaker at the Code Conference 2023 Wednesday among some of the top leaders in tech and business.
When asked about the company’s upcoming competition, Scaringe brushed it aside, claiming Tesla’s Cybertruck is not a direct competitor with the Rivian R1T or R1S.
Scaringe said, “If you were to think of like the Venn diagrams of customers, there’s probably not a lot of overlap.” Meanwhile, Rivian’s leader continued to say, “But, I think it’s great that a product like that exists in the world,” according to live reporting from The Verge.
As Scaringe went on to explain, “If we truly want to electrify everything that’s produced,” competition is healthy.
With 1.5 billion cars globally and roughly 90 million being produced every year, customers want different options. Having choices is a good thing, “So it’s great to see something so different.”
Tesla Cybertruck prototype
Rather than in the tech industry, where there are one or two primary leaders, Scaringe said in transportation, “there needs to be many winners.”
In other words, Rivian’s success does not depend on other automakers and vice versa. Meanwhile, Rivian is outpacing other EV startups in the US, placing eighth out of 26 manufacturers with 2.8% of the market.
After surpassing second-quarter expectations, hopes are high for Q3 delivery numbers. At a Morgan Stanley conference earlier this month, Scaringe says the company has “rounded the corner.”
Rivian R1T (Source: Rivian)
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s CEO is basing his claim on Tesla’s Cybertruck design alone. However, if the Cybertruck rolls out with more range and/or lower prices, it could impact R1T sales.
We don’t know if the Cybertruck will rival Rivian yet because Tesla has yet to release specs and pricing.
Tesla’s Cybertruck has racked up around two million reservations, according to a customer tally, and still has yet to relay the full specs even though production is expected to begin any day now.
Meanwhile, earlier today, new Cybertrucks, rumored to be “Master Candidates,” were spotted at Gigagfactory Texas. If true, this would be the final step before production deliveries likely to begin within the next month.
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On today’s extreme episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the most affordable new EV in America packing 255 miles of range, sub-30 minute charging, V2H support, and more – all that for a price about $10,000 LESS than that new “affordable” Tesla.
We’ve also got specs for the all-new, all-electric Ferrari Elettrica and a world’s first, hydrogen-powered autonomous farm tractor from Kubota.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. The nonprofit just kicked off its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
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Momentum, the lifestyle-focused urban bike brand under Giant Group, has just launched the latest version of its popular Vida E+ electric bike – and this one’s all about making e-biking smoother, safer, and more accessible to riders of all experience levels.
The updated Vida E+ features a new 500W SyncDrive Move S motor offering 60Nm of torque and pedal assist up to 28 mph, designed to provide natural-feeling power whether you’re cruising to work or just exploring around town. The system uses a combination of sensors to analyze torque, speed, and cadence, automatically adjusting power output to match your pedaling effort.
According to Momentum, the motor engages with as little as 4Nm of pedal pressure and just 10° of crank movement, giving riders what they describe as an ultra-smooth and effortless start every time.
A new optional throttle adds another layer of convenience, letting riders cruise at speeds up to 20 mph without pedaling, which should be perfect for hills, traffic-heavy starts, or when you just want to relax and take it easy on the way home. The bike’s EnergyPak 700 battery provides up to a claimed 55 miles (88 km) of range on pedal assist or 43 miles (69 km) on throttle-only riding.
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The Vida E+ also leans hard into comfort and safety. It sports a low-step aluminum frame for easy on-and-off, an 80 mm suspension fork, and wide 26×2.4-inch tires for stability and plushness. Four-piston hydraulic disc brakes ensure solid stopping power, while a new automatic motor cutoff feature stops assistance as soon as the brakes engage. The bike is UL 2849 certified, meaning it meets top-tier safety standards for batteries and electronics, which is a growing priority in the e-bike world as more cities and states consider requiring safety certification as a prerequisite.
With support for up to 300 pounds (136 kg) total load and optional racks front and rear, the Vida E+ is also built for everyday utility. And on the tech side, momentum’s RideControl app lets riders fine-tune speed and assistance, lock or unlock the bike electronically, and monitor battery health.
VW’s US EV lease deals just went from hero to zero. Federal tax credits are now dead, the automaker has wiped out up to $12,000 in lease incentives on the ID.4, and ended $10,500 in discounts on the ID. Buzz. The move bucks the trend as other brands continue to sweeten their EV lease offers.
As of September 30, 2025, Volkswagen offered up to $12,350 in lease cash on the ID.4, depending on configuration. That included a $7,500 federal lease tax credit for lessees as Bonus Customer Cash, plus $3,500 to $4,850 in Dealer Lease Cash. It made the ID.4 one of the top EV lease deals around.
On October 1, those incentives vanished. While the ID.4 still has a 0% APR equivalent lease rate, drivers lost more than $12,000 in savings overnight. The ID. Buzz took a similar hit. Last month, the 2025 ID. Buzz offered $10,500 off MSRP between the $7,500 tax credit and $3,000 Dealer Lease Cash. Now, almost all lease cash is gone. VW Credit is offering just $750 in Dealer Lease Cash, and weirdly, not on models with two-tone paint. According to CarsDirect’s lease calculator, the lowest-priced ID. Buzz trim now carries an effective monthly cost topping $1,000 — a considerable jump.
For comparison, the ID. Buzz Pro S was previously advertised at $589 a month for 36 months with $5,999 due at signing, or an effective monthly cost of $756.
The ID.4 lease once cost just $233 a month, making it one of the cheapest EVs to lease. According to updated estimates, that figure is now north of $800 – that’s hair-raising.
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Meanwhile, VW’s rivals are going in the opposite direction. Ford extended its Mustang Mach-E lease deals through early January. Subaru’s updated 2026 Solterra still qualifies for the $7,500 lease credit, and Jeep replaced the expiring EV lease credit with equivalent bonus cash.
If you really want a Volkswagen, though, there’s some good news: financing deals haven’t changed. The 2025 ID.4 continues to offer 0% APR for 72 months, and buyers of the ID. Buzz can still get up to $3,250 in Bonus Customer Cash through November 3, a perk unavailable to lessees.
It kinda seems like VW doesn’t want to lease their EVs anymore…?? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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