Why Rivian is holding the $45,000 base model R2 until 'late 2027' | TechCrunch

Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2. Book Exhibit Table Now. Disrupt doors open Oct. 13. Get your pass and bring someone with you at 50% off. REGISTER NOW. Rivian revealed the specs and pricing details for its pivotal R2 SUV on Thursday, and the company also finally answered a long-burning question: When will customers be able to buy the promised $45,000 base model? That answer is “late 2027,” according to the company’s press materials. And there’s a catch. The language Rivian uses now is that the base model R2 will be “starting around $45,000.” That’s a notable change from how the company was recently promoting that the R2 would be “starting at $45,000″ on its website. (Emphasis mine.) This is not exactly surprising. As TechCrunch first reported last week, Rivian removed the “starting at $45,000” language from its website in February. Also, a lot has changed since Rivian first revealed the R2 in March 2024. The $7,500 federal EV tax credit is gone. Legacy automakers have stopped buying regulatory credits from companies like Rivian, effectively ending a stream of what was ostensibly free money pouring into its coffers. President Trum

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