Anyone know folks in Rivian Incentive/Tax credit department?

[waywaybos]

Short story: I'm a reservation holder, trying to order (or buy from the shop) a 2025 R1S. I live in Massachusetts, where it's possible to get a massive $7500 (or up to $9,000 if you income qualify) discount at point of sale, provided by the state's EV program. This can be applied to a purchase, or a lease of 36 months or more.

https://mor-ev.org/eligible-vehicles-trucks

As of today, only the 2023 and 2024 models are eligible for Rivian, and I contacted the state to find out why. The state says that Rivian must apply for the 2025 models to be added, and at this point the have not done so. The cars also have to be under 80k MSRP including destination fee and options, which means the 2025 R1S barely qualifies, and only with the standard battery, and none of the remaining 2024s that occasionally pop up in the shop qualify.

My current car's lease is up in September, and I REALLY WANT TO GET A RIVIAN. But when I contact Rivian via the customer support email address or phone number, the folks have no idea what they're talking about. One chat operator lectured me that they can't give me advice about the IRS tax credit and how it applies, even though I told her several times that I'm referring to a different, Massachusetts only, non-tax rebate program.

Is there anyone here who can knows the folks at Rivian to see what they're planning, and can ask, or connect me with them? This is a huge amount of money to leave on the table, and for me it's probably the difference between a Rivian and an EV9, which is leasing for about the same money as the Rivian after the rebate.

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[Buzzfledderjohn]

Short story: I'm a reservation holder, trying to order (or buy from the shop) a 2025 R1S. I live in Massachusetts, where it's possible to get a massive $7500 (or up to $9,000 if you income qualify) discount at point of sale, provided by the state's EV program. This can be applied to a purchase, or a lease of 36 months or more.

https://mor-ev.org/eligible-vehicles-trucks

As of today, only the 2023 and 2024 models are eligible for Rivian, and I contacted the state to find out why. The state says that Rivian must apply for the 2025 models to be added, and at this point the have not done so. The cars also have to be under 80k MSRP including destination fee and options, which means the 2025 R1S barely qualifies, and only with the standard battery, and none of the remaining 2024s that occasionally pop up in the shop qualify.

My current car's lease is up in September, and I REALLY WANT TO GET A RIVIAN. But when I contact Rivian via the customer support email address or phone number, the folks have no idea what they're talking about. One chat operator lectured me that they can't give me advice about the IRS tax credit and how it applies, even though I told her several times that I'm referring to a different, Massachusetts only, non-tax rebate program.

Is there anyone here who can knows the folks at Rivian to see what they're planning, and can ask, or connect me with them? This is a huge amount of money to leave on the table, and for me it's probably the difference between a Rivian and an EV9, which is leasing for about the same money as the Rivian after the rebate.

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

I am also interested in this information from Rivian. I’m in Mass also and my Tesla lease is up in November. I can end it 2 months early if I lease another Model Y which I have on order. The main thing from stopping me from switching to a 2025 R1S is this issue. I have read that you can apply for the rebate after purchase but I would like some assurance from Rivian they will be doing the leg work with Mass to get 2925 on the list. It should qualify as the 2025 is over 8500 gvw. I can afford to lease without it but the delta is just too much compared how cheap Model Y’s are now. Plus our 2021 has been bulletproof and a great vehicle to own and drive. Lots of incentives also to lease again from Tesla. Come on Rivian, do the paperwork!

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

Waywaybos, since we can get the rebate after the sale by applying to the MOV-EV Truck website, we could put $7500 cash down (if you are cash-flush) which will make our lease payment the same as getting it at point of sale. Then you get the rebate a few months after applying which is how long I read it takes. You do not have to wait to file your MA state taxes. The risk is Rivian never gets around to applying or MA pulls the plug on the program or changes the limits. Neither seem likely but it is a risk.

 

[waywaybos]

Here's the issue. It's possible that if Rivian doesn't apply to add the 2025 models, that they won't be eligible. It's also not clear if the rebate is available to be claimed IF a car (or truck) was purchased BEFORE the car was rebate eligible. It doesn't make sense for me to take this risk until Rivian can get the 2025s added.

BTW, they qualify - the R1S just has to be more than 8500 GVWR, and it looks like it's 8532.

 

[dsmking]

I'm also waiting for clarity around using the MOR-EV $7500 rebate before deciding around the R1S vs another option. I told the Rivian guide who contacted me a few weeks ago about this and he said he'd check into it. I believe that he did read the MOR-EV page and the email from the MOR-EV folks saying that Rivian needed to apply for the rebate. However, I have heard nothing since.

I'm planning to do another test drive at the new Boston Space and mention this again.

 

[waywaybos]

No one at Rivian who I've talked to seems to know what's going on. Several times, when asked, they thought I was talking about the federal rebate. I don't have high hopes that anyone is "on it".

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

There is a Reddit thread on the subject where someone 6 months ago awaiting the 2024 to be added emailed the MOR-EV program and they got this response. As long as the new model meets the outgoing year criteria the new (2025 in our case) will be eligible. From Reddit thread and MOR-EV:



Update on the response from MOR folks for anyone that’s still following/waiting for the 2024 to show up on their vehicle eligibility:

We do not add new vehicles or model years to the list until we have received a request from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Rivian has submitted a request to add the new 2024 R1T and R1S model years to the list, and we are currently reviewing those for eligibility. Please continue to check the website for updates, as any updates will be posted there first.

Since the 2023 R1T and R1S are already listed on Eligible Trucks List, then any purchases of the new 2024 model year prior to the year being added to the website will still be eligible, as long as the new model year is determined to meet the eligibility criteria laid out in the MOR-EV Applicant Guidelines.

Thank you for your inquiry. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

Final thought, I don't think that Rivian applies this at point of sale regardless. You need to apply for it no matter what through the MA website. Which means ponying up the 7500 ourselves to reduce the lease payment or pay higher monthly rate and bank the 7500 when it comes from state.

 

[waywaybos]

Final thought, I don't think that Rivian applies this at point of sale regardless. You need to apply for it no matter what through the MA website. Which means ponying up the 7500 ourselves to reduce the lease payment or pay higher monthly rate and bank the 7500 when it comes from state.

That's also very unfortunate, as other manufacturers apply this at point of sale.

For me, the worst thing is that no one at Rivian can give me an answer, can give me a timeline on giving an answer, and no one at Rivian seems to care that they won't give me an answer or have a timeline on giving me an answer. And all I'm trying to do is to BUY one of their cars.

If it's this hard to BUY the car, I don't think I want the experience of owning one.

I cancelled my reservation after this fiasco. Not sure what I was waiting for, but this isn't it.

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

Considering Rivian just opened a very expensive, high rent showroom in the Back Bay you would think they would be jumping through hoops to get the 2025 rebate resolved and advertised because it is an incredible incentive for Mass buyers. Although it only applies to anyone wanting a sub-$80k build so that may have something to do with it.

I decided to keep my Model Y reservation and do another 3 years to let Rivian mature further. By then the R2 will be a year or so into production and there will be even more options. I really like the R1S and will probably get one at some point. Are you going to lease another Y? I had no idea until recently how many upgrades are in that from ours. Hardware and Camera 4, new active matrix headlights, sound deadening and other details. I'm not at all interested in waiting for the refresh in 2025.

 

[waywaybos]

Considering Rivian just opened a very expensive, high rent showroom in the Back Bay you would think they would be jumping through hoops to get the 2025 rebate resolved and advertised because it is an incredible incentive for Mass buyers. Although it only applies to anyone wanting a sub-$80k build so that may have something to do with it.

I decided to keep my Model Y reservation and do another 3 years to let Rivian mature further. By then the R2 will be a year or so into production and there will be even more options. I really like the R1S and will probably get one at some point. Are you going to lease another Y? I had no idea until recently how many upgrades are in that from ours. Hardware and Camera 4, new active matrix headlights, sound deadening and other details. I'm not at all interested in waiting for the refresh in 2025.

My Y is an early 2022 model, so it has the new, faster, more useful computer (made it by a week!), HW3, and ultrasonic sensors, which the new cars don't have. It works very well, haven't had any issues with it.

Will hold on to it for a while, at least until the refresh, as it has under 5k miles on it. We own it outright, so no burning hurry to do anything with it. Our other car is a BMW X5 PHEV, and that lease is up next month. Looks like I'll stay with BMW and just get an iX for 3 years - they're offering insane deals on them at the moment since there's a refresh coming in 2026, so a 100k, fully loaded car ends up around 830/month to lease with just 1st month's payment at signing.

I was dreaming about a 2025 R1S with Standard+ battery - that would have been my sweet spot. Just cheap enough to get under the 80K MA threshold, with 15k off the lease between the state and federal incentives, so it'd lease out around 760 a month with nothing out of pocket. I would have settled for a standard range, too.

But Rivian just isn't interested in taking my money. So, maybe another time.

 

[Buzzfledderjohn]

Got it. I thought you were leasing the Y. I have to say, the standard LFP battery seems like the way to go vs the standard+. 315 of the plus is really 252 at 80% which is how we charge our Y 95% of the time. The only time we charge to 100 is if leaving for a trip but then its 80 at superchargers the rest of the trip due to how slow Li batteries charge from 80-100. I was looking forward to 270 miles ALL the time, no matter what. And no more 3/4 of a tank battery gauge also!

 

[dsmking]

I've booked a demo drive in the new Boston space for this weekend and this is going to be one my main topic (along with hopefully a demo drive to work and see how it parks).

Assuming that we can get the $7500 rebate then my only question is whether to get a Red R1S Standard with 20" wheels or an LA Silver with 22" range wheels - basically vanity vs efficiency but either one would be slightly under the $80k limit if you include the $1800 destination charge.

To me the 92.5kw standard LFP makes sense over 109kw large. The software locked large that's really a Max pack is interesting but expensive.

 

[waywaybos]

I've booked a demo drive in the new Boston space for this weekend and this is going to be one my main topic (along with hopefully a demo drive to work and see how it parks).

Assuming that we can get the $7500 rebate then my only question is whether to get a Red R1S Standard with 20" wheels or an LA Silver with 22" range wheels - basically vanity vs efficiency but either one would be slightly under the $80k limit if you include the $1800 destination charge.

To me the 92.5kw standard LFP makes sense over 109kw large. The software locked large that's really a Max pack is interesting but expensive.

Let us know what you hear!

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