Rivian limits point-to-point driving to invite-only testers under NDA

This is an EV self-driving story, not directly about home energy upgrades, but worth a quick note if you're weighing an EV purchase alongside a home solar or charging setup. Rivian is rolling out its "point-to-point" driving feature, which aims to handle an entire trip rather than just hands-free driving on marked roads, only to a small, invite-only group of testers starting late 2026. Testers must be paying subscribers to Rivian's Autonomy+ feature, use it heavily, have a clean safety record, and sign a non-disclosure agreement. They also have to log issues weekly, fill out surveys, and share data like location and camera footage, all unpaid. Broader rollout isn't expected until 2027.

The timeline has slipped from Rivian's earlier promises. The company once said "eyes-free" driving (where you don't need to watch the road) would arrive in 2026, but that's now pushed to 2027, with full self-driving (Level 4) targeted for 2028. For now, Rivian's hands-free feature only works on roads with painted lines and doesn't handle stops or traffic lights.

If you're considering an EV like a Rivian for your household, this mainly affects the driving-assistance timeline, not charging or efficiency. Separately, pairing any EV with home solar can lower your fuel costs, since you'd be charging with electricity you generate rather than paying rising utility rates.