Rivian has bumped the release of its new electric truck back a month.
The company, with an auto plant in Normal, said July will be the delivery time for the first R1Ts.
"This is an extension by a few weeks of a date the company set in summer 2020. Rivian is excited to start getting preorder holders behind the wheel starting this summer with completion of Launch Edition deliveries in spring 2022," said a plant spokesperson.
Rivian's SUV is still slated to start production in August.
Rivian has told a number of trade publications the reasons for the truck delay include a chip shortage, a desire to make sure its service infrastructure is ready, and delays in shipping containers.
Even with the delay, Rivian will likely be first to market with an electric truck.
Ford's new F-150 electric offering will come next year. Lordstown Motors has scheduled a release in the fall. And Tesla's Cybertruck is set to arrive late in the year. Trucks are the largest selling segment in the auto industry, and truck releases could improve public adoption of EVs.
Total current full-time employment at Rivian's Normal plant is 1,500 as of June 1, said a spokesperson.
