The Rivian R2 Couldn’t Have Come at a Better Time

About this episode

The episode discusses the launch of the Rivian R2 electric vehicle and its implications amidst rising gasoline prices.

Last week saw what is likely the biggest U.S. electric vehicle launch of the year: the Rivian R2, which will go on sale this spring. It’s absurdly well-timed, given surging gasoline prices. But can it carve out enough of a niche to compete? On this episode of Shift Key, Rob is joined by Jesse Jenkins in his new role as occasional guest cohost. Rob and Jesse discuss the Rivian R2, what the Strait of Hormuz closure could mean for global energy markets, and why the power grid is failing the data center test. Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News. You can find a full transcript of the episode here . Mentioned: Rivian’s Make-or-Break EV Now Has a Price, Range, and Release Date Previously on Shift Key:  Why the Iran War Is a Warning for Natural Gas Jesse’s report with Camus and Encord:  Flexible Data Centers: A Faster, More Affordable Path to Power -- This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by … Accelerate your clean energy career with  Yale’s online certificate programs . Explore the 10-month Financing and Deploying Clean Energy program or the 5-month Clean and Equitable Energy Development program. Use referral code&nbsp…

People in this episode

Host: Robinson Meyer

Guest: Jesse Jenkins

Topics covered

• electric vehicles
• energy markets
• power grid
• Rivian R2
• gasoline prices

Keywords

• Rivian R2
• electric vehicle launch
• gasoline prices
• energy markets
• power grid

Sponsors

Yale

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Heatmap News

Products: Rivian R2

Books & works: Flexible Data Centers: A Faster, More Affordable Path to Power, Why the Iran War Is a Warning for Natural Gas

More episodes of Shift Key with Robinson Meyer

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• Affordability Politics Took On New York’s Climate Law — and Won · June 2, 2026 · 31 min
• Nvidia’s Case for Why AI Will Cut Emissions · May 26, 2026 · 49 min
• How Los Angeles Cleaned Up the World’s Air Pollution · May 22, 2026 · 49 min
• This Year’s Beijing Auto Show Has a Lesson for Trump · May 15, 2026 · 47 min
• What’s Truly Baffling About the Strait of Hormuz Energy Crisis · May 13, 2026 · 49 min