MASSIVE RIVIAN R2 AND EARNINGS UPDATE, JEEP COMPASS DEBUTS FOR EUROPE?

EV Channels Review

This episode of Batteries Included delves into Rivian's Q1 2025 earnings, highlighting positive financial news and the company's path toward sustained profitability, even without ZEV credits. The discussion emphasizes Rivian's success in reducing production costs for the R1 vehicles and the strong performance of their commercial vans. A significant portion is dedicated to the upcoming Rivian R2, with the $45,000 starting price being a key talking point. While the R2 is expected to be profitable due to scaled production and a lower bill of materials compared to the R1, the hosts and guest express skepticism about the base model's availability and the potential for higher-optioned versions to exceed $70,000. The conversation also touches on Rivian's European expansion plans, confirming the R2 will be available there by late 2026 or 2027, but the R1T and R1S will not. The episode also features a segment on the Nissan Ariya, with a reviewer noting its premium interior and comfortable ride, but criticizing its counterintuitive infotainment system, average range, and charging performance relative to its price point, making it a difficult recommendation in a competitive segment.