Rivian recently revealed more details about its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. Teslarati previously discussed the price and specific trims and/or equipment packages that Rivian will offer for the R1T and R1S, which include the Launch Edition, Adventure Package, and Explore Package.
The Launch Edition, as well as the Adventure and Explore Package R1T and R1S vehicles have an estimated 300+ miles of range per charge, according to Rivian. During the launch of the R1T and R1S back in 2018, Rivian remarked that it would be releasing three battery options for its vehicles: a 105 kWh pack, capable of providing 230+ miles of range; a 135 kWh battery with 300+ miles of range, and a 180 kWh pack which offers 400+ miles of range. It seems Rivian’s early production vehicles will be equipped with its midrange battery.
The EV truck manufacturer did note, however, that the 400+ mile variant of the R1T will be available beginning in January 2022. It will only offer the 300+ mile R1T variant in 2021 and a longer-range variant with five and/or seven seats will be announced at a later date. A 250+ mile variant, which will be offered at a lower price, will be available for the R1T and R1S at a later date as well.
Rivian’s R1T and R1S line will come standard with Rivian Driver+, the company’s advanced driver-assist system, which promises to a true hands-free driving assistance experience. The system will be capable of over-the-air software updates.
Similar to Tesla’s Autopilot, Rivian Driver+ will have the capability to automatically steer, adjust speed, and change lanes. However, Rivian noted that the system will only be available on select highways at launch. More areas will be available in the future. Also like Autopilot, Driver+ requires drivers to have their full attention on the road.
Rivian Driver+ features two redundant compute platforms, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 10 exterior cameras. A suite of 5 radars and high-precision GPS is also equipped on the vehicle, as well as an interior camera designed to monitor driver alertness.
The specs and features Rivian chose to include in its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV reflects the kind of automaker it wants to be and they type of vehicles it wants to provide to drivers who like having adventures outdoors, like overlanding. Specific features, like the capability of the R1T’s manual tonneau cover to change into a table, seem specifically tailored for certain pickup truck users. It’s almost as if each Rivian car will be a “bespoke” vehicle.
The success of Rivian’s take on the EV pickup and SUV will be known in due time, most probably after Summer 2021 when deliveries of the R1T and R1S Launch Editions are slated for release.
Elon Musk
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets.
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets. The company also completed deployment of its first-generation Direct to Cell constellation, launching over 650 satellites in just 18 months to enable cellular connectivity.
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s impressive 2025 progress in an extensive report.
Key achievements from Starlink’s 2025 Progress
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers with high-speed internet while bringing service to 35 more regions worldwide in 2025. Starlink is now connecting 9.2 million people worldwide. The service achieved this just weeks after hitting its 8 million customer milestone.
Starlink is now available in 155 markets, including areas that are unreachable by traditional ISPs. As per SpaceX, Starlink has also provided over 21 million airline passengers and 20 million cruise passengers with reliable high-speed internet connectivity during their travels.
Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s Direct to Cell constellation, more than 650 satellites strong, has already connected over 12 million people at least once, marking a breakthrough in global mobile coverage.
Starlink Direct to Cell is currently rolled out to 22 countries and 6 continents, with over 6 million monthly customers. Starlink Direct to Cell also has 27 MNO partners to date.
“This year, SpaceX completed deployment of the first generation of the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation, with more than 650 satellites launched to low-Earth orbit in just 18 months. Starlink Direct to Cell has connected more than 12 million people, and counting, at least once, providing life-saving connectivity when people need it most,” SpaceX wrote.
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Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
Tesla’s Giga Nevada has reached an impressive milestone, producing its 6 millionth drive unit as 2925 came to a close.
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
6 million drive units
The achievement was shared by the official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X. “Congratulations to the Giga Nevada team for producing their 6 millionth Drive Unit!” Tesla wrote.
The photo showed numerous factory workers assembled on the production floor, proudly holding golden balloons that spelled out “6000000″ in front of drive unit assembly stations. Elon Musk gave credit to the Giga Nevada team, writing, “Congrats on 6M drive units!” in a post on X.
Giga Nevada’s essential role
Giga Nevada produces drive units, battery packs, and energy products. The facility has been a cornerstone of Tesla’s scaling since opening, and it was the crucial facility that ultimately enabled Tesla to ramp the Model 3 and Model Y. Even today, it serves as Tesla’s core hub for battery and drivetrain components for vehicles that are produced in the United States.
Giga Nevada is expected to support Tesla’s ambitious 2026 targets, including the launch of vehicles like the Tesla Semi and the Cybercab. Tesla will have a very busy 2026, and based on Giga Nevada’s activities so far, it appears that the facility will be equally busy as well.
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Tesla Supercharger network delivers record 6.7 TWh in 2025
The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets.
Tesla’s Supercharger Network had its biggest year ever in 2025, delivering a record 6.7 TWh of electricity to vehicles worldwide.
To celebrate its busy year, the official @TeslaCharging account shared an infographic showing the Supercharger Network’s growth from near-zero in 2012 to this year’s impressive milestone.
Record 6.7 TWh delivered in 2025
The bar chart shows steady Supercharger energy delivery increases since 2012. Based on the graphic, the Supercharger Network started small in the mid-2010s and accelerated sharply after 2019, when the Model 3 was going mainstream.
Each year from 2020 onward showed significantly more energy delivery, with 2025’s four quarters combining for the highest total yet at 6.7 TWh.
This energy powered millions of charging sessions across Tesla’s growing fleet of vehicles worldwide. The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets. This makes the Supercharger Network loved not just by Tesla owners but EV drivers as a whole.
Resilience after Supercharger team changes
2025’s record energy delivery comes despite earlier 2024 layoffs on the Supercharger team, which sparked concerns about the system’s expansion pace. Max de Zegher, Tesla Director of Charging North America, also highlighted that “Outside China, Superchargers delivered more energy than all other fast chargers combined.”
Longtime Tesla owner and FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog noted the achievement as proof of continued momentum post-layoffs. At the time of the Supercharger team’s layoffs in 2024, numerous critics were claiming that Elon Musk was halting the network’s expansion altogether, and that the team only remained because the adults in the room convinced the juvenile CEO to relent.
Such a scenario, at least based on the graphic posted by the Tesla Charging team on X, seems highly implausible.
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
