Samsung SDI has decided to supply batteries for electric vehicles to the U.S. electric vehicle startup "Rivian," called the second Tesla.
According to industry sources on April 13, Rivian announced that it will use Samsung SDI's batteries for electric vehicles for R1T and R1S, which are scheduled to be released this year.
The possibility of cooperation between the two companies has been raised, but this is the first time that Rivian has officially announced that it will use Samsung SDI batteries.
R.J. Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, said, "We have high expectations for the performance and stability of Samsung SDI batteries applied to Rivian's battery module and pack design."
Although the size of battery supply is unknown, the industry estimates that Samsung SDI will make at least 200 billion won in sales by supplying batteries to Rivian.
Rivian is an electric vehicle startup founded in 2009 by Scaringe, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and has earned the nickname "second Tesla" by attracting investment from Amazon and Ford.
Rivian introduced R1T and R1S at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2018. Although it planned to mass-produce two models at the end of last year, it postponed its release due to the aftermath of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, According to industries, it is heard that Hyundai Motor is currently considering installing Samsung SDI cylindrical batteries in hybrid vehicles that will be released in the future. Until now, Hyundai has only been equipped with cylindrical batteries made by LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation.
