The Sunday Drive, Rivian Week in Review, July 6 to July 12, 2026

Good week. From July 6 through July 12, we got a real R2 fast-charging test, invite windows started moving up, and Launch Mode was finally shown off. I also have some news of my own at the end, so here is the rundown.

The big one: we finally got a proper R2 fast charging test from Tom over at State of Charge, which is one of the numbers people have been waiting on since the reveal. Results in Rivian R2 Fast Charging Test.

Another key update: R2 invite windows are moving up, so if you have been staring at your reservation page, it is worth another look. Rivian R2 Invite Windows Are Moving Up.

R2 Performance Launch Mode got revealed along with the 0-to-60 number. R2 Performance Launch Mode and 0 to 60.

Rivian grew while the broader EV market fell in Q2, which is the more interesting story hiding inside the delivery numbers. Full breakdown in Rivian Q2 Sales Growth.

Been sitting on this next one for a while. Volkswagen is now Rivian’s largest shareholder, and the longer I thought about it, the more it felt like it deserved a proper write-up rather than a quick news hit. Volkswagen Is Now Rivian’s Largest Shareholder.

An R1T running LiDAR got spotted over in Italy, which is a fun one given where the autonomy testing has been showing up lately. Rivian R1T LiDAR Spotted in Italy.

The R1T also won the 2026 Edmunds Top Rated Electric Truck award for the second year in a row. R1T Wins 2026 Edmunds Top Rated Electric Truck for Second Year.

Put together a full Rivian Care coverage guide this week, worth bookmarking if you are trying to sort out what it actually covers. Rivian Care Coverage Guide.

And the 2026.24 software update for R2 is currently being tested internally by employees. No word yet on the next R1 software update. Rundown here.

A couple of housekeeping notes. The RivianTrackr home page got some updates this week and will keep getting tweaked. There is a new featured stories carousel up top pulling in some of the best news and editorials, and the top story now gets its own spot so the latest news does not get buried.

Now for the part I have been waiting to write. My R2 is en route to Orlando, and I should be taking delivery this week. Once it is in my driveway and I have some real miles on it, expect a lot of R2 content.

That is the week. Plenty worth your time in there, and selfishly, I am mostly thinking about a delivery appointment. 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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