# Charging up the electric vehicle market with RJ Scaringe of Rivian

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-12-28
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian

## Summary

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explains how the company navigated severe supply chain constraints in 2022, managing a backlog of 100,000 pre-orders while launching three vehicles (R1T, R1S, and Amazon commercial van) simultaneously. He details the strategic shift toward the upcoming R2 mid-size SUV, targeting a $40,000–$50,000 price point in 2026, and the leverage gained with suppliers as production scales. Scaringe also discusses Rivian’s charging infrastructure strategy, including the agreement to access Tesla’s network and the expansion of the Rivian Adventure Network, while addressing the broader EV market slowdown and the company’s path to profitability.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=0) Introduction: Rivian's Supply Chain Crisis and Backlog
- [2:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=164) Managing Supply Chain Constraints and Inventory
- [6:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=388) Production Goals and EV Market Slowdown
- [9:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=561) The R2 Mid-Size SUV Strategy and Pricing
- [15:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=920) Charging Infrastructure: Tesla Agreement and Adventure Network
- [17:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=1053) Path to Profitability and Supplier Leverage
- [21:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=1277) CEO Involvement in Product Development
- [22:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=1377) Company Culture and Managing External Narrative
- [26:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=1602) Customer Demographics and Brand Mission
- [31:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-28-charging-up-the-electric-vehicle-market-with-rj-scaringe-of-rivian#t=1899) Leadership Stress and Mindset

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Rivian (company)
- R1T (product)
- R1S (product)
- Amazon (company)
- Tesla (company)
- R2 (product)
- Ford (company)
- GM (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Rivian Adventure Network (product)

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- [Electric Car Superiority | The Supply Chain is All Mine | Cookies for Calculus](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-07-10-electric-car-superiority-the-supply-chain-is-all-mine-cookies-for-calculus) (EE Times Current)
- [EMS@C-Level 2022 Season, episode 11 - Rainer Koppitz, CEO of KATEK SE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-09-04-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-11-rainer-koppitz-ceo-of-katek-se) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [More 2023 trends: EVs, onshoring, and the three ages of decarbonization](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2023-03-02-more-2023-trends-evs-onshoring-and-the-three-ages-of-decarbonization) (Catalyst)
- [S5E6 Alex Anderson & Lilly Macaruso | Rivian & The Rebelle Rally](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-09-s5e6-alex-anderson-lilly-macaruso-rivian-the-rebelle-rally) (Being an Engineer)
- [Charging Ahead: All Circuits Continue Automotive EMS Excellence Through Innovation and Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-03-21-charging-ahead-all-circuits-continue-automotive-ems-excellence-through-innovatio) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

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