The first Tesla Cybertrucks will reach customers this week, but Tesla isn’t the only company making electric truck news. Rival startup Rivian has launched its first leasing program.
For now, leases are available only on the Rivian R1T pickup, though the company may add its R1S SUV later. Kelley Blue Book expert test drivers say the R1T offers “real driving talents on the tarmac and off, plus a lot of standard equipment.” The available quad-motor variant is an off-road marvel, able to move each wheel at a different speed to negotiate over obstacles that would leave conventional trucks stuck.
But the R1T isn’t cheap, with a starting price of $73,000 – nearly twice the starting point of most gas-powered midsize trucks. Built in North America, R1T configurations priced under $80,000 qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
That credit is available to lessees, too.
Rivian’s leasing program starts in 14 states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, is a minority investor in Rivian.
