Rivian has officially begun production of the R3, its most affordable electric vehicle to date. The compact crossover starts at $35,000 and offers an EPA-estimated range of 350 miles on a single charge, making it a serious contender in the mainstream EV market.

Built at Rivian's new Georgia facility, the R3 features the company's next-generation battery architecture and a simplified interior design that keeps costs down without sacrificing quality.

First deliveries are expected in late May, with Rivian reporting over 120,000 pre-orders already on the books.