Tesla's Model X gets a rival as Americans flock to trucks and SUVs

If Americans won't ditch trucks and SUVs even in the face of disastrous climate change, maybe it's time those vehicles went electric. 

That's what is working on. The company revealed its all-electric R1S SUV on Tuesday; a boxier, more rugged-looking alternative to Tesla's sleek Model X. 

Rivian has actually been around since 2009, but its founder, 35-year-old MIT grad RJ Scaringe, flies a little further under the radar than Tesla's superstar CEO Elon Musk. 

The seven-passenger R1S, starting at $65,000 after the federal tax credit, certainly sounds good on paper. The base model features a range of more than 240 miles between charges, over-the-air software updates, and Level 3 autonomy, which means you can take your hands off the wheel on the highway. (Rivian claims the highest-end model will have a range of more than 400 miles.)