Rivian has revealed details of its approach to emergency egress in the upcoming R2 SUV, addressing concerns raised about increasingly complex electronic door mechanisms in electric vehicles. First-look videos published Tuesday showcase changes to both front and rear door releases, moving toward more accessible manual overrides.
The front doors of the R2 function similarly to Rivian’s existing R1 models, utilizing an electronic button for opening. Crucially, a manual door-release latch is integrated into the interior handle. The rear doors also feature an electronic button, but the manual release mechanism differs from the R1.
On the R1, rear-seat passengers must remove a panel to access a release cord. Rivian has relocated this functionality on the R2, positioning the manual release cord near the front of the handle, mirroring the front doors. However, access isn’t entirely straightforward; the cord remains concealed behind a plastic panel that must be popped open.
While Rivian has not yet released official instructions, a video published by Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything illustrates the process. The video demonstrates the need to dislodge the plastic covering to reach the manual release cord, a step not required on the front doors.
The move comes as automakers face scrutiny over the safety implications of electronic door latches. Bloomberg News reported at least 15 deaths in crashes where occupants or rescuers were unable to open doors, prompting Tesla to announce design changes to its handles. Rivian isn’t alone in addressing these concerns; Ford issued a recall last year due to a power-delivery issue affecting the electronic door latches on the Mustang Mach-E.
Rivian stock experienced gains as the company prepares to share pricing details for the R2, its forthcoming mass-market SUV, according to reports from MSN. The R2 is expected to begin production in the coming months, with pricing anticipated to start around $45,000, as noted by Benzinga.
The R2 recently underwent testing in Alaska, as reported by Benzinga, and has reached a final validation milestone, according to driveteslacanada.ca, bringing the vehicle closer to its launch. Electrek reports the R2 is positioned as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y.
