Rivian introduces new entry-level battery options

Until now, Rivian has offered two batters options: Large with 135 kWh and Max with 149 kWh. The new battery-pack options are called Standard and Stardard+. According to Rivian’s configurator, the former offers 106 kWh of capacity and a range of up to 270 miles (435 kilometres). The larger battery pack with 121 kWh will allow for a range of 315 miles (507 kilometres). However, these are values published by Rivian and not the official EPA figures.

With new entry-level battery packs, the entry-level price has changed as well. Both EVs are now available for about 3,100 dollars less. The Rivian R1T pickup truck now starts at 69,900 dollars for the variant featuring a dual-motor AWD and the Standard batter pack. With the Standard+ battery, the same vehicle costs 73,000 dollars. The R1S electric SUV now starts at 84,000 dollars.

In both cases, customers can also choose the “Performance Dual-Motor AWD” for an extra 5,000 dollars when going with the Standard+ battery pack (plus 3,100 dollars). That option is not available for the Standard variant. Rivan recently started offering the R1S for leasing in the US, meaning that customers can benefit from the full $7,500 tax credit, unavailable when purchasing the battery-powered SUV.

The US carmaker sold 57,232 electric vehicles in 2023, exceeding its revised annual target of 54,000 units. The Rivian currently builds the R1T Pickup, the R1S SUV, and the Electric Delivery Van (EDV) for Amazon, which is manufactured on a separate line. Meanwhile, The company received final approval from the relevant authorities to build its second plant in November 2023. The new factory in Georgia will be able to produce 200,000 electric vehicles per year in the first expansion stage and will go into operation in 2024. An expansion to 400,000 electric vehicles per year will be completed by 2030.

electrek.co, insideevs.com, rivian.com (configurator R1T), rivian.com (configurator R1S)