Rivian has begun working on undisclosed versions of its R2 electric SUV even as volume production of the model has only just got under way. CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed the plans to Reuters.
The US EV maker is targeting the start of R2 deliveries around June, with the launch viewed as an important step in expanding Rivian’s customer reach beyond the premium EV segment.
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Initial deliveries will begin with a version priced at $58,000, while lower-cost variants are scheduled for release later this year and again in 2027.
Rivian is also preparing a $45,000 variant expected to offer more than 275 miles of driving range, with launch plans set for late 2027.
Rivian has projected deliveries to rise by 53% this year, driven largely by the rollout of the R2.
The forecast suggests production of roughly 22,000 to 23,000 R2 vehicles, assuming demand remains stable and manufacturing scales up as planned.
In March, the company introduced several R2 trims as part of its broader mid-sized vehicle platform, which also includes the R3 crossover and the R3X performance model.
The R2 programme also forms part of Rivian’s $1.25bn robotaxi partnership with Uber.
Under the agreement, Uber is expected to begin deploying 10,000 autonomous R2 vehicles from 2028.
Rivian initially entered the EV market with the R1T pickup truck in 2021, followed by the R1S SUV, and currently manufactures electric delivery vans mainly for Amazon.
The R2 marks the company’s entry into a lower-priced EV category at a time when the industry is facing several challenges, including the removal of key EV tax incentives in the US and higher borrowing costs.
At the same time, increasing petrol prices have contributed to renewed consumer interest in electric vehicles.
Last week, Rivian said it would increase planned production capacity at its future manufacturing facility in Georgia to 300,000 vehicles annually, up from the previously proposed 200,000 units.
The revised plan for the Stanton Springs North site is intended to lower per-vehicle manufacturing costs while maintaining flexibility for future expansion phases.
