California’s Governor Makes a Statement with His New Rivian R1S

I’m sure this won’t be a controversial post at all (he said sarcastically).

Governor Gavin Newsom has a new ride—a sleek black Rivian R1S. But the choice is raising eyebrows, and not just because of the vehicle itself.

For years, Tesla has been the default symbol of California’s push for electric vehicles. But Governor Newsom’s switch to Rivian feels like a very intentional move. Ethan Elkind, director of the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment, didn’t mince words, calling it “a bit of a slap in the face at Tesla.”

And it’s not hard to see why. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has become a polarizing figure, especially among Democratic voters in the state, making it politically tricky for a governor like Newsom to be seen in one of Musk’s cars. That’s a dramatic shift, especially given that Tesla used to be the EV of choice for California’s leaders.

It’s also happening at a time when Tesla’s grip on the California EV market is loosening, with their market share dropping nearly 12% in the first quarter of this year. For Rivian, a young but fast-growing EV brand, getting this kind of high-profile endorsement is a big win.

Whether you see it as a political statement, a shift in priorities, or just a practical upgrade, one thing is clear—California’s governor is now officially team Rivian.