Auto industry newcomer Rivian has been a topic of interest for the past few years as their R1 series SUV and pickup truck have made an impact on the roller-coaster ride that is electrifed vehicle production. Headaches like supply chain problems, delays, general production issues, and even missing key fobs have all managed to push back at the upstart and, as a result, some have remained on the fence about making a purchase, while others, in the face of potential delays, have moved on to something else.
Along with the waiting comes the pricing and the fact EVs lose value even faster than I.C.E. vehicles, which are already well known to take a hit from the moment they’re driven off the lot. But as of last week, Rivian is giving potential buyers an option to get their hands on one of their vehicles quickly and for less money than the original sticker price.
Used, But New
The electric automaker now offers a pre-owned program for customers to purchase a vehicle that Rivian itself has inspected and reconditioned, and is backed by the vehicle’s original warranty. Currently, the program has only been rolled out in California and Illinois, but the company will surely expand their reach into other parts of the U.S. in order to make EVs easier to obtain for everyone across the country.
The pre-owned avenue acts as a gateway to those that might be hesitant to jump into electric vehicle ownership, offering a discounted price compared to a brand-new version. Many of those individuals don’t see an upside to purchasing a new vehicle based on the depreciation, especially for electric vehicles, and this program will mitigate some of that initial investment. For current owners that have already settled into the EV way of life, the act of upgrading to a new and improved model is a common occurrence and that should further open up the used market.
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Just A Click Away
If you’re in one of the two chosen regions, you can simply visit the Rivian website, punch in your area code, and you’ll get a rundown of what’s currently available, how far away it is, how much is being asked, and a complete run down of the options and add-ons that are included. In a quick search using a Southern California zip code, a pair of R1T models popped up with one just an hour south, and the other located in northern California, about a five-hour drive away. Not far from the Norcal R1T was a single R1S available. Of the three, the pair of trucks, which are 2023 R1T Adventure and Launch edition models, were listed at $71,200 and $71,610, respectively. The SUV, an R1S Adventure trim, checked in at $77,880.
While I.C.E. car buyers are worried about a used vehicle’s engine condition and whether the oil was changed regularly, EV buyers are concerned about battery life and how many cycles it’s been through. Fortunately, with the Rivan pre-owned models in their inventory, the trucks only had 280 and 374 miles, so very little usage overall. The R1S Adventure was quite a bit higher than the others at 992 miles, but even that number is incredibly low.
Keeping It In the Family
As mentioned, the Rivian warranty continues to cover the pre-owned models and the company also includes a seven-day or 500-mile return policy in case you get it home and realize it’s not going to work for you. Marketing these vehicles under Rivian’s watchful eye will no doubt help the brand in building their own new and used ecosystem, encouraging owners to keep coming back as new models, like the upcoming and affordable Rivian R2, hit the market.