The Rivian EVs

Among the electric vehicles (EV) made in the US, are Tesla and Rivian, though the latter brand is much smaller than Tesla. Rivian was founded in 2009 by RJ Scaringe as Mainstream Motors. Quickly, Rivian pivoted from sports cars to adventure-focused EVs, debuting the R1T and R1S in 2018 that are becoming very popular in Park City. 

Following a massive 2021 IPO and Amazon partnership, the company navigated production challenges to deliver over 40,000 vehicles by 2025, partnering with Volkswagen in 2024 to fuel 2026 expansion and the development, its latest model. By April 2026, Rivian was initiating production of that lower-cost R2 platform, aiming to tap into a broader market. 

Rivian generally ranks higher in owner satisfaction, but Tesla provides more mature tech and a better-established service network.Rivian offers a more premium, rugged, and adventure-focused experience with superior build quality and interior luxury, while Tesla excels in software, efficiency, and charging infrastructure. 

Rivian vehicles (R1T, R1S, and Commercial Vans) are manufactured in the US since 2017. It’s clear that they are actively taking business from Tesla customers, particularly in Democrat voting markets like California, who hate Tesla’s Elon Musk. 

In 2025, Tesla produced approximately 1,654,667 vehicles, while Rivian produced 42,284 vehicles. Tesla's total production, primarily Model 3/Y, far exceeded Rivian's output, which was affected by production line upgrades and reduced demand for luxury EVs. Based on Q1 2026 data, Tesla continues to dominate the EV market with significantly higher unit sales compared to Rivian, with Rivian maintaining a niche luxury presence ahead of its R2 rollout. 

The numbers for Q1 2026 Deliveries are 358,023 Teslas and 10,365 for Rivian. The brand’s presence outside the United States is currently focused on Canada and Europe, with active expansion efforts centered on service infrastructure and plans for future vehicle launches. 

While the company is primarily operating in North America, it has established a foothold in Europe to support its commercial delivery vans and prepare for consumer vehicle sales. The initial focus in Europe has been servicing the Rivian Electric Delivery Vans (EDVs) for Amazon. 

Recently, Rivian built a charging station in Park City that took two years to complete. That long delay stems from complex infrastructure permitting, construction planning for specialized trailer spots, and grid capacity limitations. 

Such projects often face lengthy approvals, including site planning and environmental reviews at the The Market at Park City plaza, which was approved to offer 12 fast chargers, with very few users since the facility opened up a month ago. It’s now clear that the high cost of gasoline should revive EV sales in America.