Early Deliveries of Rivian Electric Vehicles - Reports, Perspectives & Tips
Rivian has been rolling out their electric vehicles to the public since late 2020, and many non-Launch Edition (LE) pre-order holders are eager for their turn. Recent reports suggest that some lucky customers have already received early deliveries of their Rivians.
So far, it appears that those who have received early delivery were contacted by Rivian directly, with no clear pattern as to which reservation holders were chosen. Some Adventure reservation holders from April 2021 reported being contacted for an order call this Thursday. Meanwhile, another customer from December 2018 reported not having heard anything in terms of an actual order yet.
It also seems like location may play a role in determining when you get your vehicle. A customer living 40 minutes away from the Brooklyn Service Center reported receiving his vehicle at the end of March 2021, despite reserving in November 2018. He spec'd his vehicle with VIN 1730 and mentioned seeing 6 or more vehicles around San Diego County. Another customer living near Phoenix saw a delivery truck with several R1T's and 1 R1S on it at the service center there.
Rivian has also been delivering vehicles to employees and influencers, but they appear to be doing so on a much smaller scale than the R1T. This means that even if you live close to a service center and have had your Guide contact and Preliminary Buyers Agreement (PBA) signed, you might still have to wait until your estimated delivery window before getting your hands on your Rivian.
Overall, while it is exciting news for those who have received early deliveries, it can be quite frustrating for other pre-order holders who have waited years for their own orders. It is understandable why some would feel angry about others seemingly jumping ahead in line due to luck or circumstance. However, patience is key here - after all, Rivian is trying to satisfy lots of different stakeholders and balance everyone’s expectations.
Have any non-LE pre-order holders been contacted by Rivian for early delivery?
It is possible, as some non-LE pre-order holders have reported being contacted for early delivery. However, the exact criteria for who will be contacted and when is not known.
What does PBA stand for?
PBA stands for Preliminary Buyers Agreement. This legally and contractually binds you to purchase a vehicle from Rivian, whereas with just a preorder deposit and no guide contact, you have no contractual agreement to purchase a vehicle, and Rivian doesn't have a legal obligation to sell you one.
What does 1H23 mean?
1H23 means the original delivery window (from the December 2021 email) was first half of 2023.
Are R1S vehicles being delivered yet?
R1S are being rolled out like the R1T was - employees only right now - although on a much smaller test scale than the R1T. There is currently no real delivery date even for the earliest of R1S reservation holders.
What is the difference between a pre-order and a reservation?
A pre-order is a non-binding agreement to purchase a vehicle from Rivian, while a reservation is a binding agreement that requires you to sign a Preliminary Buyers Agreement (PBA) and make a deposit. The PBA legally binds you to purchase the vehicle, whereas with just a preorder deposit and no guide contact, you have no contractual agreement to purchase the vehicle, and Rivian doesn't have a legal obligation to sell you one.
Are there any incentives for early delivery?
Rivian has not yet announced any incentives for early delivery. However, some customers have reported receiving discounts on their vehicles or other incentives such as free charging or accessories. It is unclear if these are part of an official program or simply individual customer service initiatives.