Rivian Teases New Model, Rivian and Tesla EV Updates

Electric Vehicle Market Updates

Rivian Teases New Mystery Model

• Rivian is hinting at a major announcement on February 19th, teased via cryptic messages and imagery on social media.
• Speculation points to the R1X, a performance-oriented, rally-inspired version of the R1T or R1S, potentially featuring significant horsepower and enhanced off-road capabilities.

Tesla Sales Incentives and Charging

• To boost demand, Tesla is offering free vehicle wraps for the Foundation Series Cybertruck and free lifetime supercharging on the Model S and Model X.
• Tesla is rolling out 500kW supercharging capabilities, though currently, only the Cybertruck is hardware-equipped to take full advantage of these faster speeds.
• New details regarding the Model Y update include an upcoming 7-seat option, improved acoustic glass, and a modest range increase.

Industry Challenges and Innovations

Stellantis and Pop-up Ads

• Jeep owners are expressing frustration regarding full-screen advertisements appearing on infotainment systems when the vehicle comes to a stop, raising concerns about in-cabin distraction and quality of experience.

Lucid’s Vision for the Future

• CEO Peter Rawlinson believes the future of the industry lies in software-defined vehicles rather than just hardware, envisioning Lucid as a major player in software licensing for traditional automakers.
• Rawlinson suggests a shift toward more modest battery ranges (around 180 miles) to keep EVs affordable for mass-market adoption.

Battery Safety and Technology

Mercedes-Benz Recall

• A global recall has been issued for the EQC/EQB models due to a high-voltage battery fire risk. Owners are advised to limit charging to 80% until a corrective software recalibration is performed.

Advances in Solid-State Tech

• Hyundai is investing $9 billion over the next decade into in-house solid-state battery development, aiming for a pilot production start this year to eventually solve degradation and charging speed issues.

"The long term view is that most EVs will be leaning in towards a 180-mile range to make them mass marketable and compelling."

Global Competition

• Chinese manufacturers are aggressively integrating AI-driven features and Full Self-Driving capabilities into ultra-affordable vehicles (sub-$10,000 range), putting pressure on legacy automakers to accelerate software development.