This week, we sit down for a fascinating conversation with Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. RJ takes us back to the startup's origins in 2009 and talks about what he’s working on next, like the R2, R3, R4 and R5. He breaks down how AI is revolutionizing self-driving technology and explains where he sees battery tech going next. We chat about the looming threat of Chinese EVs, why America needs more great electric cars that aren't Teslas and how policy shifts will reshape the U.S. EV landscape for years to come. The Plugged-In Podcast, a weekly news show about the future of transportation, drops every Friday across platforms. Each week, InsideEVs journalists Patrick George, Tim Levin and a rotating cast of experts and friends cover the latest in electric vehicles, autonomous cars, and the high-tech transformation of the auto industry. Rivian CEO On What’s Holding Back EVs In The U.S. Rivian R2 Live Deep-Dive Impressions: It's Going To Be A Hit Rivian, Lucid And Slate Face A Tough Road Ahead Sign up for InsideEV’s Newsletter to get our content sent straight to your inbox: 00:00 Introduction to Rivian and the EV Landscape 02:18 The Evolution of Rivian: From Concept to Reality 05:06 Current Challenges in the EV Market 08:28 The Need for Choice in Electric Vehicles 10:23 Building a Brand: The Magic of Rivian 12:45 Supply Chain Challenges and Production Hurdles 15:05 Navigating Tariffs and Trade Relations 16:05 The Impact of EV Policy Changes 20:20 The Future of Electric Vehicles and Market Dynamics 22:14 The Importance of Electrification for Future Generations 25:57 The Politicization of Electric Vehicles 28:20 Market Development and Consumer Expectations 32:49 Rivian's Sales Performance and Future Projections 34:44 Introducing R2: The Next Generation of Rivian Vehicles 39:30 R2's Development Process and Consumer Appeal 42:55 R2's Competitive Landscape and Pricing Strategy 45:47 Rivian's Pickup Truck Strategy and Market Positioning 49:13 Understanding the Pickup Market Dynamics 50:36 Future Models and Product Development at Rivian 54:30 Innovations in Battery Technology 01:00:49 The Competitive Landscape for Rivian 01:07:30 The Shift in Automotive Technology and Software 01:15:03 Preparing for Competition with Chinese Automakers 01:19:58 Volkswagen Partnership and Its Implications 01:23:56 Advancements in Autonomy and AI Follow InsideEVs at: