Rivian continues to ramp with R2 even as EV market growth slows

This is automaker news rather than a home energy story, but it touches on electric vehicles, which some homeowners pair with home charging and solar setups. Rivian, the EV maker, reported strong third-quarter numbers for 2026, delivering 19,248 vehicles, up 58 percent from the prior quarter. The growth is largely credited to its new, lower-cost R2 model, even though only the pricier Performance version of the R2 is on sale so far. A cheaper version is expected in "late 2026." Rivian says it's still on track to hit its full-year delivery goal of 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles. One wrinkle: the lidar sensor suite (a laser-based system used for advanced driver assistance) that was supposed to come with the R2 has been delayed until 2027.

The bigger picture is that EV sales growth nationally has slowed this year. EVs now make up about 6 to 7 percent of new vehicle sales, down from more than 10 percent in 2025. The article points to the loss of federal EV purchase tax credits in late 2025 and higher interest rates as reasons buyers are holding back, along with rising gas prices tied to the Iran war.

For homeowners thinking about an EV and a home charger, the main takeaways are that federal purchase incentives for EVs have gone away, and if you're considering a Rivian specifically, the lidar-equipped version won't arrive until 2027.