Uber Wants 50,000 Rivians. Here's Why Robotaxis, Not EVs, Might Be Rivian's Biggest Opportunity.
Rivian's path to growth may increasingly run through autonomous driving.
Rivian Automotive, a company that has been striving to establish itself in the electric vehicle market, has entered into a new agreement with Uber that could lead to a different opportunity: robotaxis. Uber plans to deploy a significant number of autonomous Rivian R2 vehicles, with the potential to acquire up to 40,000 more starting in 2030. This is a considerable amount, and Uber is also willing to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian through 2031, contingent upon Rivian achieving certain autonomous-driving milestones.
This deal is particularly significant for Rivian, a company that is expected to deliver only 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles in 2026. The investment by Uber surpasses the projected vehicle deliveries for the year and underscores the company's confidence in Rivian's technology. However, Rivian still faces the challenge of proving that it can manufacture electric vehicles profitably at scale.
In Q2, the company delivered 12,194 vehicles, generating $1.66 billion in revenue, but still incurred a $36 million gross loss. Additionally, Rivian burned through $849 million in free cash flow during the quarter.
Yet, the robotaxi opportunity could provide a new revenue stream for Rivian, leveraging the technology it is already developing. This deal could potentially open up a lucrative new market for Rivian, beyond its electric vehicle sales.
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