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LG Energy Solution announced on Thursday that it will supply Rivian with cylindrical-shaped battery cells for use in the R2 electric compact crossover that Rivian previewed in March.

The battery cells will feature a 4695 format (46-millimeter diameter and 95-mm height) and will be supplied by a plant in Arizona.

The battery format is similar to what BMW plans to use for its upcoming Neue Klasse family of EVs. The format offers superior energy density to prismatic cell designs used by other automakers, as well as packaging benefits.

LG Energy Solution, which also supplies battery cells to Tesla, Hyundai, and General Motors, said its supply agreement with Rivian will last five years and total 67 gigawatt-hours.

Rivian R2

The battery cells will form part of a structural battery pack in Rivian MSP (Midsize Platform) that debuts in the R2 and will also underpin Rivian’s R3 and R3X models. In the R2, the platform will support powertrain configurations with one, two, and three electric motors.

At the R2’s reveal, Rivian quoted a range of over 330 miles and a 0-60 mph time of less than three seconds for some versions of the crossover. Every R2 will be capable of charging at Tesla Supercharger stations thanks to a standard NACS charge port.

The R2 is expected to start production at Rivian’s plant in Normal, Illinois, in 2026, and Rivian has previously announced a starting price of about $45,000.

Production of the smaller R3 will follow shortly after, with the more rugged R3X version to arrive first.