The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 13 to July 19, 2026

Lighter week on volume but not on substance. From July 13 through July 19, California moved on its EV rebate, R2 VIN assignments climbed into the 4100s, and R1 inventory discounts appeared. Here is the rundown.

California signed SB 168, and the price cap exemption is the part Rivian buyers need to understand. Full breakdown in California EV Rebate SB 168 and the Rivian Price Cap Exemption.

R2 VIN assignments are now climbing into the 4100s, which is worth watching closely given how deliveries have been pacing against those numbers. More in R2 VIN Assignments Climb Into the 4100s.

Rivian is also running discounts on R1 inventory, so if you have been waiting to pull the trigger on an R1, there are deals sitting there right now. Details in Rivian R1 Inventory Discounts 2026.

One of the stranger ones this week. An R2 pickup was canceled due to the wrong bumper color, which raises some real questions about how these final checks are handled. R2 Pickup Canceled Over Wrong Color Bumper.

And on a much better note, Atlanta Fire Rescue put an R1T into service through Patrol EV. Good to see these showing up in that kind of role. Patrol EV and Atlanta Fire Rescue Put a Rivian R1T Into Service.

That is the week. Smaller list than usual, though the SB 168 exemption and those climbing VIN numbers both have more behind them than the headline count suggests. Catch you on the next Sunday Drive.

Jose Castillo Founder and Editor

Jose Castillo is the founder of RivianTrackr and has owned and driven Rivians since early in the brand's consumer history. He currently drives an R1S and an R2 in Florida and uses Universal Hands-Free every day. As a credentialed Rivian journalist, he has covered the R2 First Drive in Park City and SXSW firsthand and has spoken directly with Rivian's software and autonomy leadership.

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