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With 19,248 vehicles delivered in the third quarter of 2026, Rivian climbed from 10th to second among American electric vehicle brands.
The company’s commercial van operation was a major driver of that rise, accounting for 8,469 units.
Here’s what to know
In figures cited by Motor1, Cox Automotive estimated 19,239 Rivian deliveries for the quarter, essentially matching the company’s published total.
Under either tally, Rivian finished ahead of Chevrolet in an American EV market that was still below 2025 levels.
The 45.7% year-over-year gain in Q3 2026 deliveries gave Rivian a 7.2% share of the American EV market, based on Cox’s estimate.
That was a sharp change from Q3 2025, when the brand ranked 10th, even as most competitors recorded lower EV sales for the quarter.
Several Rivian models contributed to the quarter’s total. The R1S SUV posted 5,582 sales, the R1T pickup added 1,732, and the R2 delivered 3,456 units in what Cox called its first full quarter on sale.
More background
Rivian moving ahead of Chevrolet does not mean it has passed General Motors overall in EV sales.
When Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are combined, GM still sells more EVs than Rivian. Rivian’s growth has come while GM’s EV demand has softened across its individual brands.
In the first nine months of 2026, Rivian’s EV sales rose 26.8%. Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes, and Subaru were the other brands to grow EV sales in Q3, each supported by a specific new model.
For drivers thinking about making their next car an EV, a stronger field beyond Tesla means more options for shoppers.
EVs save drivers money with lower fuel costs and less routine maintenance than gas-powered vehicles.
What’s being done?
Commercial vehicles were the company’s standout growth engine in Q3 2026. Rivian sold 8,469 EDV 500 and EDV 700 vans in the quarter, up 220.9% from Q3 2025.
Those van sales support Rivian’s work with Amazon and other fleet and logistics customers, giving the company income beyond consumer SUVs and pickups. In the first three quarters of 2026, vans totaled 15,685 sales, close to the R1S total of 17,259.
Rivian is also broadening its consumer lineup with the R2. Cox described Q3 as the model’s first full quarter on sale, and all 3,456 deliveries came with just the higher-priced Performance trim available.
Charging an EV at home often costs half as much as using public chargers, but basic Level 1 charging can be slow. Qmerit offers free, instant installation estimates for faster Level 2 home charger installations, helping buyers decide whether a Rivian or another EV fits their lifestyle.
Where can I learn more?
Rivian’s rise happened alongside gains from other EV models and ongoing questions about charging.
• Chevrolet’s Equinox EV SUV pushed the brand’s electric growth higher in the U.S.
• Rivian expanded a matching program for buyers tying EV ownership to renewable energy use.
• Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said broken chargers, not ideology, hinder adoption.
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