- Batteries certain for U.S. Rivian R2 fashions will come from Arizona
- LG will provide Rivian with 67 gigawatt-hours over 5 years
- 4695 format is about to be shared with R3, R3X
Subsequent-generation cylindrical battery cells for the Rivian R2 SUV will come from LG Power Resolution and its Arizona plant, the battery provider and U.S. EV maker confirmed Thursday.
The settlement, LG says, will span 5 years and whole 67 gigawatt-hours in whole power capability and energy R2 fashions for the North American market. Though it didn’t word a place to begin for provide, the R2 is because of go on sale in 2026.
The Rivian R2-bound cells, at 46 mm in diameter and 95 mm in size, mirror the dimensions that BMW has additionally dedicated to—fairly than both Tesla’s 4680 cell format (46 mm x 80 mm), which reportedly carries with it some further manufacturing challenges, or the unique 18650 format (18 mm x 65 mm). LG famous that the dimensions enabled increased power density, improved area effectivity, and enhanced security.
BMW cylindrical battery cells
Rivian confirmed to Inexperienced Automobile Stories that the settlement is particularly for high-nickel cells, which usually refers to NCA or NCM lithium-ion chemistries and never the lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cells which can be gaining popularity in cost-conscious base EV fashions—like variations of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and within the upcoming next-generation Chevy Bolt EV.
The $45,000 Rivian R2 would be the first true mass-market EV from the U.S. electrical automobile maker, and it could possibly be the mannequin that makes the fledgling firm financially sustainable. It’s initially set to be in-built Regular, Illinois, alongside the R1T, R1S, and EDV (van) fashions.
As soon as manufacturing is underway, some R2 manufacturing could also be shifted to a future Georgia plant that may begin making autos in 2027—ultimately together with the compact Rivian R3 household, with its hot-hatch, rally-tinged R3X counterpart.
Rivian R3X
Cells a structural core for Rivian’s future EVs
As Rivian confirmed earlier this yr with their reveal, the R2, R3, and R3X are all set to be constructed across the identical next-generation structure, centered round a structural battery pack with these 4695-format cylindrical cells.
Rivian confirmed to GCR that LG doesn’t have express exclusivity as cell provider for the R2 lineup. The 67 gigawatt-hours calculates out, assuming almost 100 kwh per automobile, to about 700,000 autos cut up over 5 years. So it’s unclear from this preliminary plan whether or not R3 and R3X may see a few of these cells, too, within the curiosity of flexibility, or to what diploma these somewhat-more-affordable LFP cells may enter the combination.
Rivian R2
LG famous that “inside the first yr of manufacturing” batteries for the R2 can be made on the standalone plant in Arizona.
“This massive-scale order from Rivian for 4695 batteries marks a key milestone for LG Power Resolution in increasing its consumer base inside the cylindrical battery phase,” mentioned David Kim, the battery agency’s CEO, in its launch on the settlement.
Rivian and LG noting IRA impression
Made simply two days after the U.S. Presidential election, the LG announcement talked about the optimistic impression of Biden administration EV coverage and its Inflation Discount Act in resulting in the Arizona manufacturing push. “The provision settlement with Rivian is anticipated to additional strengthen LG Power Resolution’s presence within the U.S. market and its plans to actively reply to the IRA by growing and supplying aggressive battery cells in a well timed method whereas increasing into new markets,” acknowledged the battery provider.
Rivian R3X
The EV maker additional pointed to the U.S. sourcing as “aligning with Rivian’s concentrate on U.S. home manufacturing and IRA compliance.”
Rivian reported some further excellent news on Thursday. It produced 13,157 autos and delivered 10,018 within the third quarter of 2024. Though manufacturing has been held again by a element shared between each its personal Enduro motor unit, for R1 fashions and its van platform, it confirmed that it’s on observe for its 2024 supply outlook of fifty,500 to 52,000 autos.
