Rivian is giving its most affordable R1T trim level the ax. So, if you were looking forward to buying the Rivian R1T Explore electric truck, you’ll have to explore other options. The cancellation of the R1T Explore could spell trouble for the popular electric vehicle startup.

Can you buy a Rivian R1T Explore?

Consumers will no longer be able to purchase the base model Rivian R1T Explore. Rivian is even canceling R1T Explore preorders. Either buyers upgrade their preorders and pay more for the Adventure trim, or have them canceled completely.

What does this mean for America’s first electric pickup truck? In short, the R1T just got even more unattainable for the average American driver. Electric vehicles are normally more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts, but the R1T is on another level. The R1T Explore had a starting price of $67,500. The Adventure trim starts at $73,000. Buyers can now only choose from the Adventure and Launch Edition trims.

The Launch Edition starts at a whopping $85,000, but its capabilities and standard features are absolutely epic. The Rivian R1T was never intended for drivers looking to spend under $50K based on its pricing. Now, since the Explore entry-level model is discontinued, the R1T is even further away from what Americans normally spend on full-size pickup trucks.

The Ford F-150 Lightning recently experienced a price bump as well, but affording the Blue Oval’s electric pickup truck is still within the realm of possibility for thousands of Americans. The base model F-150 Lightning Pro now starts at $48,769. There’s a $24,231 price difference between the F-150 Lightning Pro and the Rivian R1T Adventure.

Is the Rivian R1T worth buying?

Rivian is in an interesting position as 2023 draws nearer. The electric vehicle company had a historic IPO. Its value quickly plummeted, and many consumers criticised the company’s delivery process. Ultimately, the American automaker made an amazing electric pickup truck. There’s no question that in terms of performance, the Rivian R1T is unrivaled.

According to Car and Driver, the Launch Edition makes an enormous 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. If off-road capability and power are what you’re after, the R1T Launch Edition is second to none. The electric pickup truck may be expensive, but its capabilities justify its high price. It can go from 0-60 miles per hour in about 3.3 seconds.

Buyers that can afford the pricey EV will enjoy its quickness and off-roading prowess. The question is, will the truck make a real impact on the industry if so few consumers want to spend that much on a pickup?

Ford’s electric pickup truck is already the most popular

Ford produces the current most popular electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning. The Blue Oval filled around 200,000 F-150 Lightning orders and is opening order books again soon.

The F-150 Lightning is the most affordable electric pickup truck until competitors arrive. At the moment, the Chevy Silverado EV is positioned to be the F-150 Lightning’s greatest competition. Rivian will trail Ford, General Motors, and other automakers in sales because of the R1T’s high starting price.

Read more about Ford’s first-ever electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, in the next article below.