Rivian has revealed new details about the battery pack design of its upcoming R2 electric SUV, which is expected to become the company’s most affordable and best-selling model. CEO RJ Scaringe shared that the R2 will utilize larger 4695 battery cells, significantly reducing the number of cells needed per vehicle compared to the R1 platform.
The R2 battery pack will contain 768 cells in total, divided into three modules with 256 cells each. The larger-format 4695 cells, supplied by LG Energy Solution, are 46 mm in diameter and 95 mm tall, offering approximately six times the capacity of the 2170 cells currently used in the R1S and R1T.
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Our R2 battery pack is made up of three large modules that have 256 cells each for a total of 768 cells per pack. The pack is a structural part of the body and the top of the pack is also a portion of the floor of the vehicle. I love how this type of part consolidation… pic.twitter.com/5dRdOqr9bS
— RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) April 7, 2025
“This is a huge step forward in terms of simplicity and cost,” Scaringe stated, adding that the structural battery design integrates the top of the pack as the vehicle’s floor. By reducing the cell count from as many as 7,776 in the R1 pack, Rivian anticipates lower production complexity and cost savings.
Scaringe also shared images of other components, including the die-cast base structure that houses the R2’s high-voltage electronics, zonal controller, and contactors. Known internally as the “tree house,” the integrated unit includes DC-DC and DC-AC converters along with a bi-directional onboard charger, and serves a structural role beneath the rear seats.
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Do you think Matt is smiling in this picture because of the logos integrated into this die casting or the incredible level of part consolidation it enables?! 🙂
This is the die cast base for what we call the treehouse — a module that houses the high voltage power electronics,… pic.twitter.com/YTYrgBKBqr
— RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) April 6, 2025
Rivian’s shift to 4695 cells comes as the EV industry increasingly adopts larger cell formats to drive down costs. However, challenges remain. Tesla’s own 4680 cells, although touted as cost-efficient, have faced criticism over charging performance, particularly in the Cybertruck. The effectiveness of Rivian’s thermal management system and overall battery performance will be closely watched once production begins in 2026.
The R2 will join Rivian’s lineup alongside the R1S and R1T, and is positioned to broaden the company’s reach to more budget-conscious EV buyers in North America.