Rivian R2 And Toyota Highlander: Could These SUVs Become the EV Hits America Needs?

"Besides making cars, what do Rivian and Toyota really have in common? I'd say that they share an unfortunate sense of bad timing. It's not their fault, either. But both companies picked a rough year to launch crucial new electric-vehicle products, now that EV tax credits are gone and the U.S. government has largely soured on electrification from a policy perspective."

"I was on a prototype drive for the Rivian R2, seeing what the dual-motor launch car with 300 miles of range and 656 horsepower should be like. And Tim saw the debut of the Highlander in person this week. While nobody outside of Toyota has driven it yet, that electric three-row SUV seems to be a much more sophisticated EV product than we've seen thus far from stuff like the bZ4X."

Both Rivian and Toyota launched significant electric vehicles at a difficult moment for the U.S. EV market. EV tax credits have expired and federal policy has cooled toward electrification, reducing incentives for buyers. The Rivian R2 is a dual-motor launch car promising about 300 miles of range and 656 horsepower, and its commercial success is crucial for the startup's future. Toyota's new Highlander EV, built in the U.S. with its batteries, appears more sophisticated than earlier Toyota EVs. Consumer uptake may hinge on pricing, which remains largely undisclosed.

Read at insideevs.com