Rivian to Add Visible Manual Releases to R2

Rivian is redesigning the interior door handles on its upcoming R2 SUV after employees and customers raised safety concerns about hard-to-find manual emergency releases and the risk of being unable to exit if the electric system loses power. The company plans to add a clearly visible manual release located closer to the electrically powered interior handles in the rear doors so occupants can access it if power fails. Rivian says the current design has not caused injuries and frames the change as a proactive, safety-centered revision. The redesign comes amid broader regulatory attention to electronic latches — including NHTSA probes and recalls following similar scrutiny of Tesla and other automakers — and it’s unclear whether existing R1 models will receive retrofits. R2 production is scheduled for the first half of 2026.