Rivian R2 To Source 4695 Cylindrical Batteries From LG Energy Solution

These cylindrical EV batteries will be made at LG’s upcoming Arizona facility which will be complete within the next two years

Battery manufacturing giant LG Energy Solution has agreed to be a long-term supplier of the 4695 cylindrical batteries for the Rivian R2. In the last few years, LG Energy Solution (LGES), a subsidiary of LG Chem, has collaborated on agreements with numerous OEMs across the globe. Especially in the U.S., it partners with Hyundai, Honda, Ford, Stellantis and now, Rivian. Car marques contacted LGES when the Biden administration introduced the Inflation Reduction Act. Hence, incentives were on the table for EV batteries made in the U.S.

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LG To Supply 4695 Cylindrical Batteries For Rivian R2

We know that Tesla made the 4680 cells famous which is why LGES invested a whopping $450 million for the production of these cells in 2022. However, as this technology transitions rapidly, the Korean battery giant has developed taller and higher-capacity 4695 cells. These refer to battery cells with a diameter of 46 mm and a height of 95 mm.

Just for Rivian, the company has announced that it will supply a total energy capacity of 67 GWh over the next 5 years as a part of this agreement. LG says that its 20 years of R&D in cylindrical batteries has gone into creating the 4695 cells. Furthermore, it mentions that these larger cells will offer OEMs long-range and high safety while delivering over six times the capacity of the existing 2170 cylindrical cells. Many auto giants use the latter in their EVs today.

LG’s Arizona facility is under construction at the moment. However, it is expected to commence full-scale production in less than two years. This sits perfectly with the timeline we have for the launch of the Rivian R2. The electric SUV was showcased earlier this year and it is planned for the first half of 2026. The American EV giant has already bagged a colossal 100,000 pre-orders for the R2. It will be assembled in Normal, IL initially. With time, it could even be shifted to Rivian’s second manufacturing facility in Georgia. Remember it is still under construction.

Speaking on this occasion, LG Energy Solution CEO, David Kim, said, “Due to the dynamic nature of the current EV market, an increasing number of global automakers are demonstrating a strong preference for a diverse range of battery form factors. This large-scale order from Rivian for 4695 batteries marks a key milestone for LG Energy Solution in expanding its client base within the cylindrical battery segment.”

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Learn Electric Cars Says

LG Energy Solution, on the back of its crucial agreements with top car marques across the globe, has become one of the market leaders in this swiftly burgeoning space. We know that the Chinese CATL sits at the top of this list. In any case, as the West continues tariffs on Chinese-made EVs and keeps abolishing incentives on Chinese-made batteries and components, someone like LG could benefit immensely. Let us keep an eye out for further developments in this regard.