Illinois town; Bloomington–Normal’s smaller twin, population 52,497 (2010)
Rivian has begun delivering the R2, its more affordable EV, with plans for a $50,000 base version by 2027. CEO RJ Scaringe argues the R2 will broaden choice and avoid copying rivals, while production scales in Illinois and Georgia expand capacity.
Slate Auto has unveiled a bare‑bones two‑seat electric pickup with a $24,950 base price and a two‑row SUV conversion starting at $29,950. The company has raised the base EPA range estimate to about 205 miles, is taking preorders with a $300 deposit, and plans production to begin in late 2026 with direct online sales.
SpaceX plans to build a terrestrial cellular layer using EchoStar spectrum alongside its Starlink satellite network, aiming to challenge AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The move follows a wave of satellites and small base stations, promising better coverage and higher bandwidth.