Rivian Auto To Unveil Electric Truck And SUV

Rivian Auto To Unveil Electric Truck And SUV

While there has been a lot of news surrounding new electric car production over the last several years, it's curious that we've not heard a thing about plug-in trucks or SUV's. Most manufacturers have considered it impractical to consider putting battery powered systems into something so heavy, but upcoming auto maker Rivian may change that. 

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has recently announced that we will introduce both a fully electric truck and SUV to the world at the upcoming LA auto show in November. Scaringe founded the company in 2009 straight out of engineering school with the intent to produce an efficient line of electric cars. He soon pivoted when he saw the glaring need for other types of vehicles and turned his full attention on trucks and SUVs. 

He now has half a billion dollars of funding and 450 employees making his dream come true. His 3-row SUV and full-size pickup truck that will be unveiled at the show will be up for sale in 2020. This will put the competition at a major disadvantage, as the only manufacturer that is currently working on either is a a mid-size truck from Tesla. Speed to market will play a major factor, and once Rivian connects with customers, it will be difficult for other manufacturers to get these customers to come to their side. 

Rivian's truck has some pretty impressive specs. 800 hp with 0-60 in less than 3 seconds is mind blowing for a vehicle that has traditionally been too heavy for such a feat. The aluminum frame helps this somewhat, with this and many other parts manufactured out of lighter weight yet resilient materials to keep the overall weight at a manageable level. It will also be able to go up to 450 miles per charge, which is far enough to make it feasible for those who commute or go from job site to job site. 

"We wanted to make sure we deliver something that's exceptional on road, exceptional off road, and at the same time doing those performance elements, still very usable. So it can fit your family, your kids, your gear, your stuff very easily in the vehicle," Scaringe says.

We and our partners at Gwatney Collision Center here in Little Rock, AR will be watching this closely as it will certainly affect all aspects of the auto industry, including the repair sector. With such lofty goals and impressive specs, we'll be looking forward to seeing Rivian's vehicles on the road soon!

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: Fox News