Rivian's CEO on Trump's Big Beautiful Bill: "Good for Rivian, Bad for US Auto Industry"

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe believes that the Trump administration's cuts to EV incentives can be beneficial for his company and Tesla but detrimental to the US auto industry. Scaringe stated that Rivian will benefit from the removal of the EV "tailwinds," while the industry as a whole will suffer. He also mentioned that the current administration's posture could be bad for the US auto industry and his children.

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has expressed mixed feelings about the recent changes in electric vehicle (EV) incentives under the Trump administration. In a recent interview, Scaringe stated that while the cuts to EV subsidies, known as the Big Beautiful Bill, could be beneficial for Rivian and Tesla, it poses significant challenges for the broader US auto industry.

Scaringe noted that the removal of the EV "tailwinds" could be advantageous for Rivian and Tesla, as these companies are among the few all-electric US automakers. He believes that the current administration's posture towards EVs is detrimental to the overall US auto industry and could negatively impact his children's future. "The move away from some of the tailwinds that were previously in place for electric vehicles is actually good for Rivian, it's good for Tesla, it's bad for the US auto industry, and it's bad for my kids," Scaringe said [1].

The CEO also discussed the challenges faced by the EV industry, including the lack of charging infrastructure. He acknowledged that while the industry has made significant progress in recent years, the infrastructure for charging stations is still underdeveloped. Scaringe highlighted that Rivian has taken the initiative to build its own charging network, the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN), to address this issue. He noted that the current network is small but growing rapidly, with new stations being added regularly [1].

Scaringe also addressed the competition in the EV market, stating that while there are different approaches to designing cars, the market needs a variety of choices. He believes that the existence of simpler, more affordable EV options, such as the Slate truck, does not challenge Rivian's approach to building a software-forward vehicle [1].

In conclusion, while Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe sees potential benefits for his company from the recent cuts to EV incentives, he acknowledges the broader challenges faced by the US auto industry. The future of the EV market will depend on the ability of companies like Rivian to innovate and adapt to the changing regulatory environment.

References:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-ceo-rj-scaringe-trump-bbb-oem-stifle-evs-2025-7