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Recently, there have been unusual developments concerning damaged Rivians. On social media, owners are receiving notifications through their apps indicating that their former electric vehicles (EVs) have mysteriously reactivated—not locally, but in the conflict-ridden country of Ukraine. These vehicles aren’t being converted into makeshift military equipment, as was the case with a modified Toyota Mirai. Instead, they are being repaired and returned to the streets through an unexpected network that facilitates the export of damaged EVs overseas.
Concerns about the fate of their old cars have been raised by various owners on platforms such as Facebook and Reddit. In a comment on the Reddit post, a user from Ukraine shared a link to the classified ads site Auto.ria.com, showcasing numerous listings for R1T pickup trucks and R1S SUVs available in Ukraine. These vehicles differ from typical used cars, as Rivians are not officially sold new in Ukraine. Instead, they arrive via the same routes that transport many second-hand EVs, especially those that have been in accidents, out of North America.
As reported by Wired in November 2023, there has been a significant increase in the export of crashed EVs from the United States and Canada. Due to their intricate designs, expensive repair costs, a limited number of skilled technicians, and potential liability concerns associated with battery repairs, insurance companies frequently deem these vehicles a total loss after accidents. Salvage yards are often reluctant to accept them, given the low demand for parts and the hazards involved in handling the batteries. Consequently, a large number of crashed EVs, particularly frequently damaged Teslas, become economically viable to ship to regions such as the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, or Eastern Europe.
In these areas, skilled workers are able to repair the EVs that are often avoided by North Americans, either by sourcing parts from China or the West or by merging parts from two damaged vehicles. This method, known as a “cut-and-shut” in some regions, can result in vehicles that are unsafe in the event of a crash. However, many Ukrainians are increasingly willing to assume these risks.
With lower taxes on imported used EVs, a relatively high number of charging stations, and rising fuel prices following Russia’s invasion, imported EVs are now deemed a cost-effective option for many drivers in Ukraine. A source humorously remarked to Wired that traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are now viewed as the luxury choice, reversing the trend seen in Western nations. In some instances, EVs deemed irreparable are still valuable for their batteries, which can be repurposed to power smaller electric vehicles or even drones to aid in the war effort.
Rivians, however, are likely too sophisticated for such fates, and their high cost makes them poor candidates for use in frontline operations. In contrast, the Tesla Cybertruck appears to be a vehicle that Russia is preparing to deploy armed with a machine gun on its roof. It would certainly offer an interesting test of Elon Musk’s claims about its bulletproof capabilities.
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