Rivian opens R2 SUV orders and lands $1.25 billion Uber robotaxi deal

Rivian has begun sending official order invitations to reservation holders for its long-awaited R2 SUV, with the first wave going out starting June 9 and deliveries expected within two to six weeks of order confirmation — a notably fast turnaround for a newly launched EV platform. Early efficiency comparisons have also turned heads: testers say the R2 edges out Tesla's popular Model Y by roughly 24 miles of total range, thanks in part to a slightly larger battery pack, a result that would make it one of the most efficient mass-market electric SUVs on sale. Rivian says it expects to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles in 2026 overall, and is expanding the capacity of its under-construction Georgia plant by 50%, to roughly 300,000 vehicles a year, to meet anticipated R2 demand. The company also disclosed a major new partnership: ride-hailing giant Uber has agreed to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian and to purchase as many as 50,000 fully autonomous R2-based robotaxis through 2031 — a deal that, if it plays out as planned, would give Rivian a guaranteed large-scale customer for its self-driving technology and give Uber a dedicated supply of purpose-built autonomous vehicles.