Sparks Fly: Fire Damages Rivian (RIVN) EVs at Illinois Plant

A fire broke out late Saturday night in the parking lot of Rivian Automotive’s (Nasdaq: RIVN) manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, damaging several of the company’s electric vehicles. The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m., prompting a response from local fire departments.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the assembly plant itself was unaffected. The fire was contained to a parking lot on the north side of the four-million-square-foot factory, which is located 130 miles south of Chicago. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Although Rivian has not confirmed the exact number or types of vehicles damaged, aerial photos show nearly 60 Rivian R1T electric pickup trucks and R1S electric SUVs affected by the fire. Sources indicate that the vehicles in the affected area were either set aside for scrapping or awaiting repairs.

Rivian, known for its R1S SUVs and R1T pickups, has been expanding its Normal plant to accommodate the production of its upcoming R2 SUVs, expected to launch in 2026. This expansion is seen as a crucial step for the company’s growth. Earlier this year, Rivian temporarily shut down the plant for three weeks for major retooling aimed at simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs.

The Normal plant is Rivian’s sole manufacturing facility, with plans for a second assembly plant in Georgia. Despite the fire, the company’s operations continue, although production of its commercial delivery vans for Amazon was recently paused due to a parts shortage.

Electric vehicle fires, while less common than those involving internal-combustion vehicles, can be challenging to manage due to the nature of the batteries involved. Crews remained on-site after the fire was extinguished to monitor the vehicles, a standard precaution to prevent re-ignition.