Within a mere 24 hours of its unveiling, the Rivian R2 has set the electric vehicle world abuzz, already amassing an impressive 68,000 reservations, according to RJ Scaringe, the company’s visionary CEO. In a triumphant post on X, Scaringe exclaimed, “We are thrilled to see this vehicle resonate so strongly with our community!”
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Rivian R2 Garners Impressive 68,000 Reservations Already
Introduced at a captivating event in Laguna Beach, California, on Thursday, the R2, along with its compact counterparts, the R3 and R3X, represents Rivian’s audacious foray into the realm of affordability. Priced at a tantalizing $45,000, the midsize electric SUV is poised to make electric mobility accessible to a broader audience, a stark contrast to the company’s current offerings, the R1T truck and R1S, which command premium prices exceeding $70,000.
However, the barrier to entry for reserving an R2 is remarkably low, with a mere $100 refundable deposit required. This modest commitment pales in comparison to the $1,000 (also refundable) demanded by Tesla for the Model 3 reservations back in 2016. Moreover, reservation holders are under no obligation to actually purchase the vehicle once it becomes available, further reducing the risk for prospective buyers.
It’s worth noting that the $6.8 million amassed from the reservations does not directly translate into a cash influx for Rivian. According to the company’s terms of service, the funds “will be held by Rivian in a separate account designated solely for Preorders and released for application towards the final sales price of Your Selected Vehicle when you execute the Final Sales Agreement.”
Nonetheless, the staggering number of reservations serves as a resounding affirmation of the public’s eagerness to embrace the Rivian R2 as a tangible reality. And this fervor is set to escalate further as the company has yet to open reservations for the even more affordable R3 and R3X, which are generating unprecedented buzz in the electric vehicle realm.
With production slated for the first half of 2026, following Rivian’s decision to expedite the timeline from the end of 2026 after temporarily pausing its $5 billion Georgia factory, the anticipation for the R2 continues to build. As the electric vehicle revolution gains momentum, Rivian’s ambitious endeavor to democratize electric mobility has undoubtedly struck a chord with consumers, heralding a new era of accessibility and sustainability in the automotive industry.
