Rivian Gears Up for R2 Rollout as Early Testing Reveals Average Charging Speeds

Rivian has confirmed that the R2 will make its official debut this spring, with complete specs, pricing, and configuration details scheduled for release on March 12. That date coincides with the opening day of SXSW 2026, where Rivian serves as the event’s primary sponsor. While the reveal is imminent, customer deliveries aren’t expected until later in the spring. That timeline could give Rivian some breathing room to refine the R2’s battery management system, which showed some shortcomings during early testing.

Positioned as a more affordable alternative to the larger R1S while retaining Rivian’s adventurous DNA, the R2 plays a key role in the company’s future. Rivian has leaned into the obvious Star Wars R2-D2 comparisons, even applying themed liveries to preproduction vehicles. That playful nod sparked speculation that deliveries might kick off on May 4.

In its official announcement, Rivian reiterated that March 12 will bring full pricing and specification details. With SXSW underway in Austin and Rivian headlining as the main sponsor, expectations are high for a major unveiling event. Still, with deliveries projected for later in the season, the “May the 4th” theory hasn’t been ruled out entirely.

Ahead of the launch, Rivian invited select media outlets to drive preproduction R2 prototypes. While the previews generated buzz, they also highlighted a notable concern: charging performance. As some analysts anticipated when Rivian confirmed the use of 4695 battery cells, the R2’s thermal management appears to struggle with heat buildup inside the pack.

According to Rivian, the R2 can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, with peak charging rates reaching roughly 240 kW—figures that testers largely confirmed. That puts it in the same range as the Tesla Model Y, which hasn’t seen major improvements in charging speed since launch. However, it still trails Hyundai and Kia’s E-GMP-based EVs, which typically complete the same charging window in closer to 20 minutes.

Rivian acknowledged to testers that the battery management software is still being refined, suggesting production models should see improved charging behavior. That may explain why early reviews remained fairly broad, and why Rivian avoided inviting EV-focused reviewers like Kyle Conner, who are known for digging deep into technical limitations.

Still, it’s worth asking whether most buyers will really care about a 10-minute difference in fast-charging times. Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 lag behind many rivals in this area, yet together they moved more than 1.6 million units in 2025. On top of that, Rivian already has a loyal following that’s likely to embrace the R2 even if it doesn’t top every benchmark.

The test vehicles were Dual-Motor AWD models equipped with the Large battery pack. Estimates put capacity at around 90 kWh, delivering over 300 miles of range based on Rivian’s projections. Rivian also confirmed output of 656 horsepower, indicating these were Performance variants. Not surprisingly, this setup is expected to be among the first offered to customers.

That likely means early buyers won’t see the promised $45,000 entry-level R2 right away. Based on current estimates, the Dual Motor Performance version could land north of $55,000. With the Tesla Model Y Performance starting at $57,490, Rivian may face an uphill battle if pricing creeps any higher.