Rivian Breaks Ground on $5B Georgia EV Factory for 2026 Launch
▼ Summary
– Rivian has broken ground on a new factory near Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to eventually produce up to 400,000 next-generation electric vehicles annually.
– The company aims to start construction in Q1 2026 and begin vehicle production in 2028, with current work focused on preparatory tasks like utility connections and access roads.
– The factory is projected to create 7,500 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs, with an additional 8,000 indirect jobs expected through local suppliers and vendors.
– Rivian initially announced the factory in 2021 but faced delays due to local opposition and pandemic-related supply chain issues, leading to a temporary focus on expanding its Illinois facility.
– The project is supported by a $6.6 billion Department of Energy loan secured in early 2025, with CEO RJ Scaringe expressing intentions for the factory to serve global markets by 2028.
Rivian has officially commenced construction on its highly anticipated $5 billion electric vehicle manufacturing facility near Atlanta, Georgia, marking a significant step toward its goal of producing up to 400,000 next-generation EVs annually. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by CEO RJ Scaringe and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, signals a major advancement for the automaker’s expansion strategy, though full-scale construction is not expected to begin until early 2026.
Current activities at the site involve essential preparatory work, including establishing electrical and water infrastructure and developing access roads. While the ceremonial shovels turned dirt this week, actual vehicle production is slated to begin in 2028.
The facility is projected to generate 7,500 permanent jobs once operational, alongside approximately 2,000 construction roles during the build phase. As of late June, Rivian had already created 47 full-time positions and invested roughly $80 million in the project. An external analysis further estimates the plant will spur nearly 8,000 additional indirect jobs through local suppliers and vendors, many of whom Rivian has already approached about establishing operations nearby.
This milestone follows years of uncertainty and delays for the Georgia factory, originally announced shortly after Rivian’s 2021 IPO. The company’s existing facility in Normal, Illinois, a retrofitted Mitsubishi plant, currently produces the R1T, R1S, and commercial vans but lacks the capacity for larger-scale output. Rivian initially aimed to break ground in Georgia by 2022 but faced setbacks including local opposition and pandemic-related supply chain issues.
In March 2024, the automaker announced a strategic pivot, temporarily delaying the Georgia project to focus on expanding its Illinois operations. This move ensured the timely launch of its more affordable next-generation model, the R2 SUV. Later that year, plans for the Georgia site regained momentum when Rivian secured a $6.6 billion Department of Energy loan to support construction, finalised in the closing days of the Biden administration.
Political concerns emerged ahead of the recent presidential transition, with some allies of the incoming administration suggesting the loan could be reconsidered. However, the financing remains in place, and Rivian has collaborated closely with state officials to reactivate the project. CEO Scaringe has expressed ambitions for the Georgia plant to serve global markets by 2028, reinforcing the company’s long-term vision for expanded production and international reach.
(Source: TechCrunch)
