- The 2026 Rivian R2 release date could be just around the corner, after Rivian confirmed that manufacturing validation builds of the new model are already rolling out of its EV production facility in Normal, Illinois.
- These validation units help to verify that Rivian R2 production lines are functioning correctly, ahead of customer vehicles being produced on the same line in the near future.
- The Normal, Illinois plant already produces the R1S and R1T models, with an extension built over the last year to allow for R2 production in addition.
The Rivian R2 enters the production validation stage
The news of this major milestone for the Rivian R2 was shared by Rivian CEO, RJ Scaringe, on social media, with RJ noting that Rivian will start delivering the R2 to customers ‘soon’. The R2 was originally on track for a 2026 launch, and this news once again confirms that to be the case.
Validation builds are an important step in the process of bringing any car to market. Whilst we’ve already seen Rivian R2 prototypes on display at auto shows or undergoing road testing, those examples were likely hand assembled on a small scale. The manufacturing validation builds of this model, however, mark a crucial step towards mass production of the R2 – ensuring that all elements of the factory production process operates correctly. If all this testing goes without a hitch, then we could see customer production of the R2 start very soon. Consumer appetite already looks strong, with over 200,000 refundable R2 reservations reportedly already in Rivian’s system.
The R2 is perhaps Rivian’s most important EV yet, and could be one of the most defining EVs of 2026. Going on sale with a base price of $45,000, this model will be the cheapest electric car offered by the manufacturer yet, and help it compete directly with some of the most popular EVs on the market such as the Tesla Model Y. It’ll also be the first passenger car from Rivian to arrive in European markets after its initial North American debut, with both these factors opening up the possibility of Rivian EV ownership to a much wider audience than before.
