- The Rivian R2 SUV heads to Europe as the company expands its EV lineup beyond the US market.
- With production set to start in 2026, Rivian’s smaller, more affordable R2 promises to make waves.
- With experience in electric delivery vans and infrastructure, Rivian gears up to make a significant impact in Europe’s EV scene.
The Rivian R2 SUV: Set to electrify Europe’s roads with style and affordability
The Rivian R2 SUV, Rivian’s compact and wallet-friendly EV, is set to conquer Europe. While the exact arrival date remains unconfirmed, signs point to post-2026 for its European debut.
This is because the scaled-down R1S is slated for production in 2026 for the US market, with Rivian’s new Georgia factory still in the works. Surprisingly, the car hasn’t even been officially unveiled yet – but that’s set to happen on March 7th.
Rivian has already made its mark in the European market with its electric delivery vans, which started shipping to Germany last year under its partnership with Amazon. But Rivian’s foothold in Europe extends beyond its electric delivery vans, with a parts distribution centre in the Netherlands and a service hub in Germany. These facilities, established last year, support Amazon’s electric vans. When the R2 SUV hits European shores, Rivian won’t be starting from scratch.
We caught a sneak peek of the next-gen R2 in a teaser dropped by the California-based startup last week. It revealed a scaled-down version of the R1S, consistent with prior glimpses. Its contours mirror the clay model Rivian discreetly unveiled earlier, hinting at a seamless transition from prototype to production.
An image was also leaked of what appears to be an R2 spotted filming in LA last week.
Parked next to the R1S, the R2 appeared slightly more compact, with smaller headlights and a passenger-side charging port. It also seemed to have reduced chrome accents and fresh wheel designs.
Rivian’s R2 is slated to begin at $40,000 to $50,000, marking nearly half the price of its R1S and R1T counterparts.
With its sights set on Europe, Rivian’s R2 SUV is poised to revolutionise the continent’s EV market. As March 7th approaches for its official unveiling, Rivian’s entry into Europe promises to be a game-changer, offering an affordable and sustainable option for drivers across Europe, competing with best-sellers like Tesla’s Model Y, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, and the Kia EV6.
