Tesla's X model becomes rival as Americans flock to trucks and SUVs

If Americans do not abandon trucks and SUVs, even in the face of disastrous climate change, it may be time for these vehicles to switch to electricity.

That's what Rivian Automotive works on. The company unveiled Tuesday its fully electric R1S SUV. a more compact and more robust alternative to the elegant Tesla X model.

Rivian has been around since 2009, but its founder, 35-year-old RJ Scaringe, who is a graduate of MIT, is flying a little further under the radar than the CEO of Tesla superstar Elon Musk.

The seven-pbadenger R1S, starting at $ 65,000 after the federal tax credit, sounds good on paper. The base model offers a range of over 240 km between charges, live software updates and a level 3 battery life, which means you can free yourself from the steering wheel on the highway. (Rivian says the top-of-the-range model will have a range of over 400 miles.)

Rivian also unveiled its five-pbadenger R1T pickup truck, which has similar battery life, but starts at $ 61,500. Both are manufactured in Normal, Illinois, and are expected to be delivered "late 2020".

They arrive at the ideal moment. Again, Americans are flocking to SUVs and trucks, thanks in part to lower gasoline prices. In fact, when General Motors announced the elimination of 14,000 jobs in North America, Mary Barra, CEO, said the decision was aimed at adapting to the "reality of the market" in which people abandon the sedans for profit. trucks and SUVs.

And, although mileage has improved since the golden age of the Hummer, SUVs still do not travel as far full of gasoline as sedans and compact cars.

This is not encouraging in the wake of the report recently released by 13 US federal agencies that warned of a fire, drought, floods and 10% of the impact on the US economy if nothing is done to fight against climate change.

If Americans get big again, they will at least have new electric options. Of course, electric vehicles are just as environmentally friendly as the electricity grid they are recharging, but these are good first steps.

The success of companies like Tesla and Rivian could push more established automakers to manufacture their own electric SUVs – at more affordable prices, hopefully.

If more people buy electric vehicles, just convince world leaders like Donald Trump (who said he does not believe his own government's report on climate change) to abandon coal to adopt sources of electricity. 39, renewable energy. And then, finally, you may be able to feel well to drive an SUV.