Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed that the company is developing undisclosed variants of the R2, hinting at both a pickup truck and an “R2X” performance model just days after starting volume production of the more affordable electric SUV.

The comments, made in an exclusive interview with Reuters, signal that Rivian’s mid-size platform is set to expand well beyond the three R2 SUV trims announced in March.

Scaringe teases R2 pickup and R2X

When asked specifically about a pickup variant of the R2, Scaringe didn’t deny it. Instead, he confirmed that additional body styles are in the pipeline.

He told Reuters that what Rivian is building at its upcoming Georgia plant “allows for different variations,” without disclosing specific details on what those variants would look like. He then went further, directly referencing a performance derivative by name.

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Scaringe added that he wanted “to be careful not to announce the program,” but the implication is clear: the R2 platform is designed for more than just the SUV form factor.

This tracks with Rivian’s existing playbook. The company launched the R1 platform with both the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, and it has already announced the smaller R3 crossover and the performance-oriented R3X with a tri-motor setup. Extending that same logic to the R2 platform — with an R2 pickup and R2X — is the obvious next step.

R2 production ramp and delivery timeline

The R2 variant news comes at a critical moment for Rivian. The company started R2 production in late April at its Normal, Illinois plant — just days after an EF-1 tornado damaged the facility — and plans to begin customer deliveries around June.

Rivian’s full-year guidance calls for a 53% jump in deliveries, implying roughly 22,000 to 23,000 R2 units this year. The rollout begins with the $57,990 R2 Performance, followed by the $53,990 R2 Premium later this year, and the $45,000 R2 Standard — the model most likely to significantly expand Rivian’s customer base — arriving by late 2027.

The R2’s EPA numbers are competitive: up to 328 miles of range and 217 kW DC fast charging with a heat pump standard. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard said in a recent client note that the R2 is likely to “materially boost sales” and help Rivian capture additional EV market share, aided by its lower price point and autonomy features.

The R2 is also central to Uber’s $1.25 billion robotaxi deal with Rivian, which calls for 10,000 fully autonomous R2 vehicles starting in 2028.

Why a smaller pickup matters

The pickup hint is arguably the most significant part of Scaringe’s comments. An R2-based pickup truck would give Rivian something no other EV maker currently offers: a mid-size electric pickup in the $45,000–$60,000 range that could compete directly with the wildly popular Ford Maverick segment.

Right now, the electric pickup market is dominated by full-size trucks — Ford’s F-150 Lightning, the Rivian R1T, GM’s Silverado EV, and the Tesla Cybertruck. None of those come close to the compact, affordable pickup formula that has made the Ford Maverick one of the best-selling vehicles in America. An R2-based pickup could fill that gap entirely.

The timing also matters. With the removal of key EV tax credits in the US, affordability is more important than ever. Demand for EVs has softened, but affordable models remain a bright spot. A mid-size electric pickup starting under $50,000 could be exactly what the market needs.

Electrek’s Take

This is exciting news. Seth and I have often talked about a potential Rivian R2 pickup on our podcast — it would be incredible if it happens.

The R2 platform is clearly designed with modularity in mind, and Scaringe’s comments leave very little doubt that a pickup variant is at least in active development. The fact that he specifically mentioned the Georgia plant’s ability to handle “different variations” suggests this isn’t theoretical — Rivian is building the manufacturing flexibility for it from the ground up.

An R2 pickup would be a game-changer for Rivian. The R1T proved that Rivian can build an outstanding pickup truck, but at $70,000+, it was never going to be a volume play. A mid-size R2 pickup in the $50,000–$55,000 range would tap into the hottest segment in the auto industry and give Rivian a product with no direct electric competitor. Add an R2X performance variant on top, and you’ve got a platform that could realistically produce four or five distinct vehicles — exactly the kind of leverage Rivian needs to reach profitability.

We’ll be watching closely as the R2 ramp continues and more details on these variants emerge.