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Can Rivian’s Cheaper Electric Suvs Help Stave Off Ruin?
Eric Anderson / Rivian
Rivian announced a slate of affordable electric vehicles during a reveal event on Thursday—signaling a significant pivot for the company, which has previously focused on luxury vehicles. The reveal also comes at a time of great tumult as the EV industry faces lagging sales and an uncertain future.
Rivian’s next EV is the R2, a smaller SUV that’s slated to go into production in 2026. With a starting price of $45,000, it’s significantly more affordable than its current lineup of vehicles such as the R1T pickup truck that starts at $71,000 or the R1S SUV that starts at $74,900. The R2 has a range of more than 300 miles and can travel from zero to 60 mph in three seconds.
The R2 wasn’t the only announcement of the day. Rivian also surprised attendees of the event by revealing the R3, another SUV that’s both smaller than the R2 and comes with a lower price tag. While the battery life and acceleration are the same as the R2, it’s meant to be a sportier and more compact version of the vehicle.
