There’s a lot going on at Rivian right now. Between a big cash injection from VW and the launch of a second generation of its R1S and R1T models, things are heating up for the electric car maker. And to add fuel to the fire, a recent investor call also suggested that several more electric cars are in the works. Things are getting more exciting.
It is impossible to say what these electric vehicles are or will be, but instead of insider knowledge, I will tell you what I want at least one – and it’s not actually a car. It’s an e-bike. Before you get out your pitchforks, hear me out, because I think it makes perfect sense for Rivian to build an electric two-wheeler.
Give us the Rivian E-Bike
On the surface, it might seem odd that I’d want a bike when Rivian is busy making high-tech $70,000 electric cars, but the transition from electric cars to bikes is far from unprecedented. For example, Polestar has collaborated with Cake – a Swedish e-bike company – and has had quite appealing results. Likewise, McLaren has its own (very expensive) e-bike.
If the above screenshot from Rivian’s recent presentation is any indication, there’s a lot in the works.
Rivian
And beyond the feasibility that Rivian could build an e-bike, there’s just the overall synergy. Rivian has long made a name for itself with sleek and rugged electric vehicles that take you from the road to the trail. The company sells camping accessories like tents and even something called a camp kitchen for grilling and chilling outdoors; the whole brand screams, “I have money and I like to get outside.”
And with that in mind, what could appeal better to the outdoorsy crowd with disposable income than an e-bike with big, fat off-road tires or cargo space? Not to mention one that benefits from Rivian’s expert design sensibility. I mean, hey, if they can make a battery-powered truck, I don’t think an e-bike is out of the question.
In some ways, it just makes sense. If you’re going on an epic backcountry trip with your awesome electric off-road vehicle, why not bring along a toy to make your adventure even more fun? I don’t mean to take Tesla’s credit, but even though the Cyberquad is aimed at kids, it was designed to be stored in the Cybertruck. There’s clearly an opportunity for Rivian – a brand without the baggage of Elon Musk – to combine its popular electric vehicles with an e-bike.
A dynamic duo
I’ll be honest: There’s absolutely no indication that Rivian has any interest in building an e-bike. In fact, all of the teased future electric vehicles on the current roadmap seem to be cars of some sort.
And whether the production of e-bikes is a financially Whether this is a smart move for Rivian is another question. I’m not a business-minded person and never have been, but it’s not really the financial aspect that makes me so yearn.
The truth is, I love e-bikes and I love the look of Rivian’s cars – I’m far from the only one who likes those things. What I’m saying is, when you combine those two things, I think you have a recipe for a two-wheeler that a lot of people will want to buy.
No one can say whether my dreams will come true, but it’s okay to dream. Let’s hope Rivian gets this memo and builds the e-bike we deserve.
