Official EPA filings reveal the full performance picture for Rivian’s most important vehicle yet.
EPA certification documents published this week give the clearest look yet at the 2026 Rivian R2‘s real-world specs — and the numbers are genuinely impressive. The R2 Launch Performance Edition earns a 335-mile range rating, a 144 MPGe combined efficiency score, and a 29-minute DC fast-charge window from 10% to 80%. Here’s a complete breakdown of what the documents reveal.
Rivian R2 Range: 335 Miles on 21-Inch Wheels
The R2 Launch Performance Edition — equipped with 21-inch wheels and all-season tires — is rated at 335 miles of range, slightly above Rivian’s own earlier estimates. Opt for the 20-inch all-terrain tires and that figure drops to 314 miles, a 21-mile penalty that’s reasonable for off-road rubber.
Efficiency: Better Than the Tesla Model Y
This is where the R2 stands out most. The EPA rates the R2 at 144 MPGe combined, compared to 138 MPGe for the Tesla Model Y. The only production vehicle currently beating it is the Lucid Air Pure — a sleek, low-slung sedan. For a boxy SUV to outscore nearly every EV on the market is a significant engineering achievement.
The likely explanation? Weight. The R2 tips the scales at approximately 2,381 kg — nearly 590 kg lighter than the Rivian R1S. Paired with an 86.8 kWh battery (slightly smaller than expected), the reduced mass means the pack goes further per charge than raw capacity alone would suggest.
City driving efficiency is particularly striking: the EPA clocks the R2 at just 21.6 kWh per 100 miles in urban conditions, and 25.7 kWh per 100 miles on the highway. Those figures are nearly twice as efficient as the outgoing R1 lineup.
Charging: 217 kW Peak, NACS Standard
The R2 supports peak DC fast charging at 217 kW, enabling a 10%–80% charge in approximately 29 minutes according to Rivian. The vehicle uses the NACS (North American Charging Standard) plug — the same connector used by Tesla — giving R2 owners access to the Supercharger network.
Heat Pump Confirmed for All Launch Edition Models
An early reading of the EPA documents sparked concern that the R2 might launch without a heat pump — a component that dramatically improves range in cold weather. Rivian has since confirmed that every Launch Edition R2 includes a heat pump, good news for buyers in northern climates where winter range loss is a deal-breaker.
What’s Still Coming: 345+ Mile and Base Models
The Launch Edition is just the opening act. Rivian has confirmed that future R2 variants will include:
- A performance trim targeting over 345 miles of range
- A base model rated at a minimum of 275 miles
EPA ratings for those configurations are expected in 2025.
Bottom Line
The Rivian R2 EPA numbers position it as one of the most efficient SUVs ever tested — and potentially the most competitive mass-market EV launched since the Tesla Model Y. If real-world driving backs up the lab results, Rivian may have built the EV that finally convinces mainstream buyers to make the switch.
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