Rivian gets Illinois plant expansion approval for R2 production

Rivian has received approval for Normal Illinois plant expansion from town officials. This step will enable the EV maker to increase production capability.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved the project for expansion for a new Rivian R2 electric SUV and it’s expected to increase the employment number at the company.

Earlier this year, Rivian introduced its midsize R2 SUV and announced a starting price of $45,000. This vehicle will start deliveries in the first half of 2026.

In the meantime, the company halted construction at the new Georgia plant to save funds for R2 production. Initially, R2 planned to manufacture at the new plant but not it will be produced at the Normal facility.

Pantagraph reports that the expansion of the Normal factory could start this month and is expected to be completed in 14-18 months. It will build a 1.14 million square foot building east of the southeast corner of the existing plant. The EV maker will add 208,000 square feet to the southeast part of 100 Rivian Motorway.

The plant has two new employee parking areas with more than 2,500 spaces and new signage. These will be opened to the west of the existing plant and another in the West College Avenue lot. Rivian wants to make a dedicated area to park R2 vehicles prior to shipment.

These spaces will also be used by R2 production employees and current employees who park in a remote lot on the north side of the facility.

Approved plans have two variances for the height limit in M-2 zoning and signage. The conveyor system will be added to the top of the east side and expand up to 64 feet with a zoning limit of 45 feet. The gate would be 8 feet tall and 12 square feet with code limits of 6 feet in height and 6 square feet.

In May this year, the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economics Opportunity allowed Rivian to expand operations at its Normal factory with 827 million in incentives.