The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 20 to July 26, 2026
Rivian halts Half Moon Grey R2 deliveries, sues the federal government over tariff refunds, and puts out a charging adapter warning. Plus R2 battery pack costs, a tire efficiency breakdown,… · Rivian
Rivian Quietly Staffing R2 Night Shift Just Days After Production Start
A LinkedIn post from a newly promoted R2 Group Leader is the first employee-level signal that Rivian is already staffing the night shift at Normal, just over a week after R2 saleable production officially kicked off on April 22.
Rivian and Caruso Expand Partnership with 150 Plus Fast Chargers and Two New Showrooms in Southern California
Rivian is going bigger on its Caruso partnership, adding more than 150 DC fast chargers across Southern California along with two new showrooms opening in 2026. The chargers will be part of the Adventure Network, open to all EVs, and rolling out over the next year at properties like The Grove, Americana, Calabasas, and beyond.
RJ Scaringe Didn’t Actually Make $403 Million in 2025
RJ Scaringe’s headline $403 million pay package isn’t actually money in his pocket. Most of it is grant-date fair value on stock options that only pay out if Rivian’s stock more than doubles, the company hits real profitability targets, and he stays CEO long enough to see it through. The cash he actually took home in 2025 looks more like $25 million, and most of that came from selling existing shares back to the Also spinout.
R2 Launch Edition Paint Options, Borealis Skipped and Forest Green Coming Later
Rivian confirmed today that Borealis won’t be available on the R2 Launch Edition and will instead show up later on the R2 Performance trim. Forest Green is still coming to Launch Edition later this year, Coastal Cloud Signature might join the list too, and Esker Silver will be the only no-cost color on R2.
ALSO Confirms First TM-B Launch Edition Bikes Ship in June 2026
ALSO sent reservation holders an update confirming the first TM-B Launch Edition bikes are still on track for late spring, with the very first units shipping at the end of June and the next status email landing in May.
First Video of the Rivian R2 Rear Wiper in Action
The first video of the production R2’s rear wiper is here, and it works exactly like you’d hope it would. Whether that hidden pocket holds up against snow, mud, and trail debris is the real test, and that one is still ahead.
Rivian Hires Jenny Lewis as New VP of Marketing and eCommerce
Rivian has filled its top marketing seat. Jenny Lewis, formerly CMO at The Knot Worldwide, is joining as VP, Head of Marketing and eCommerce, ending the stretch where RJ Scaringe had been holding the role in an interim capacity since October 2025. The hire lands right as Rivian heads into its biggest marketing push yet with R2 first drives, the Block Party tour, and a wider brand expansion all on deck.
The Rivian R2 Options You Can’t Get at Launch
R2 is launching as a Performance Launch Edition only, and a chunk of what got shown at SXSW isn’t available at launch. Some configurations are coming later in 2026, others slip into 2027, and a few combos like Borealis on the single motor Standard aren’t ever going to exist.
Rivian Gear Shop Spring Savings 2026 Discounts on Accessories and Apparel Through May 3
Rivian’s Gear Shop Spring Savings event runs from April 23 through May 3, with discounts on a good mix of accessories and apparel that apply automatically at checkout and stack with Reward points.
Why the 20″ All-Terrain Is the Best Wheel Pick for Your Rivian R2
If you’re configuring a Launch Edition Performance R2, the 20″ All-Terrain wheel upgrade is the smarter long term pick. The 21″ All-Season runs a tire size nobody else makes yet, and R1 owners already know how that story goes. The range tradeoff is smaller than you might think.