2022 Rivian R1S and R1T electric vehicles delayed by at least three months
Deliveries of the zero-emission SUV and pick-up truck have been delayed once again, with Rivian blaming the coronavirus pandemic for the latest setback.
US-based electric vehicle start-up Rivian has delayed deliveries of its R1S SUV and R1T pick-up truck by at least three months, citing supply complications brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
As first reported by Automotive News, an email sent to investors and buyers on Friday by the company’s CEO RJ Scaringe said: “Earlier this summer, we announced that deliveries would begin in July; however, the timing for the first deliveries of the R1T has shifted to September, with the R1S shortly thereafter in the fall. I wanted to be sure you heard this from me directly.”
The vehicles – which are both underpinned by the same bespoke dual-motor skateboard platform producing “up to” 550kW/1124Nm and permitting a range of 640km – were initially slated for launch in mid-2020, however the shift to mass production underwent several major setbacks.
Amazon has pre-ordered 100,000 electric delivery trucks from the manufacturer, however it’s believed production of these vehicles remains on schedule.
Having raised more than US$8 billion (AU$10.9 billion) from major investors including Ford and Amazon since the company was founded in 2009, Rivian now claims to employ more than 7000 people at its Irvine, California headquarters.