The Rivian Roadmap

There’s a lot happening in the world of Rivian this week! If you’re thinking about making the switch to an R1T or R1S, now might be the perfect time—Rivian just launched a huge incentive that could save you up to $14,000. Plus, the R1T is racking up awards, and Rivian is making bold moves toward autonomous driving to take on Tesla. Let’s dive in!

In today’s email:

• Rivian’s New Incentive – Save up to $14,000 on an R1T or R1S

• Edmunds Names R1T the Top Electric Truck of 2025

• Rivian Software Update 2024.51 – New features & improvements

• Rivian’s Electrical Architecture Draws Interest from Automakers

• Rivian vs. Tesla in the Self-Driving Race – ADAS & "eyes-off" driving in 2026

👇Watch: For all of the latest Rivian News Updates.

🔥Rivian’s New Incentive: Save Up to $14,000 on an R1T or R1S

Rivian has brought back its All-Electric Upgrade Offer, and this time, it’s even better! If you’ve been considering an R1T or R1S, you can get up to $6,000 in savings on certain configurations—no strings attached.

• Dual-Motor w/ Max Battery → $3,000 off

• Dual-Motor w/ Max Battery + Performance Upgrade → $4,500 off

• Tri-Motor w/ Max Battery → $6,000 off

💡 Insider Tip: You don’t actually need to trade in your vehicle to get this discount. Just request a trade-in quote, then work with a Rivian sales specialist to apply the savings anyway.

And that’s not all…
✔ $500 in Rivian Gear Shop credit with my referral code
✔ 6 months of free Rivian Adventure Network charging
✔ 1.99% APR for 60 months on R1 Dual vehicles w/ Max Battery

Stack everything together, and you could be looking at $14,000+ in total savings! Ready to upgrade? Check out the R1 Shop now.

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🏆 Edmunds Names R1T the Top Electric Truck of 2025

Edmunds just crowned the 2025 Rivian R1T as their Top Rated Electric Truck—and it’s easy to see why. They praised the truck’s:
✅ Sharp handling (better than most gas trucks)
✅ Insane acceleration across all trims
✅ Luxury ride quality with serious off-road capability

They even said:
💬 "It’s not just more competitive—it’s the best electric truck on the market, hands down."

This win proves Rivian is no longer a niche brand—it’s a dominant force in the EV world.

⚡ Rivian Software Update 2024.51: What’s New?

The latest Rivian software update is rolling out now, bringing:
🔹 Gen 2 Smart Turn Signals – Auto-cancel after lane changes
🔹 More responsive UI – Faster, smoother display transitions
🔹 Upgraded security – A more refined vehicle alarm system

🚨 BONUS: If you live in snowy areas, check out my latest review of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 winter tires for your Rivian.

🔋 Rivian’s Game-Changing Tech Is Drawing Automaker Interest

According to Reuters, multiple automakers want to license Rivian’s electrical architecture—a system so advanced that it’s poised to become an industry standard.

Why does everyone want in?
✅ Fewer control units & less wiring = Lighter, more efficient EVs
✅ Superior software integration = Over-the-air updates like a smartphone
✅ Less complexity = Faster, cheaper manufacturing

Could Rivian’s tech become as widespread as Tesla’s Supercharger network? It’s looking likely.

🚗 Rivian vs. Tesla: Who Will Win the Self-Driving Race?

During the grand opening of Rivian Space San Francisco, CEO RJ Scaringe revealed that Rivian is working on:

🟢 2025 – Hands-free Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
🟢 2026 – “Eyes-off” autonomy (like Tesla’s FSD, but with radar + cameras)

🔍 Key Differences:

• Tesla = Vision-only self-driving

• Rivian = Multi-sensor approach (cameras + radar)

While Tesla has had years to refine FSD, Rivian’s sensor suite is 10x more powerful than Gen 1 vehicles—so they may catch up faster than expected.

🚙 Where I think Rivian should innovate: Off-road autonomy—an AI-powered trail spotter that helps navigate tricky terrain. That would set them apart!

What do you think? Will Rivian actually compete with Tesla in autonomy? Reply and let me know!

⚡ Quick Hits: Other Rivian News

✔️ New Rivian Adventure Network charger in Chipley, FL (I-10 corridor, 6 fast chargers)
✔️ Seattle: “Educational Drives” now available as a workaround for Washington’s direct sales laws
✔️ Rivian owners are gathering at the Washington State Capitol to push for direct EV sales—want to get involved? Reach out to the Emerald City Rivian Club.

💬 What Do You Think?

That’s all for this week! What’s your take on Rivian’s latest moves?
👉 Hit Reply and let me know:

• Are you considering buying an R1T/R1S with the new incentives?

• Should Rivian focus on self-driving or off-road innovation?

• Do you think their tech-sharing strategy is a smart move?

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, forward it to a fellow Rivian fan. 🚀

Remember… Adventure is Always Out There,

Mike and Arlo The Good Doggo