RJ Scaringe is the CEO of Rivian. He joins Big Technology Podcast for a deep discussion about the state of electric vehicles and where Rivian goes from here. We go into depth about Elon Musk's role in the coming Trump administration and what Scaringe would do if he was the "first buddy." Then we talk about Rivian's affordability, its partnership with VW, its road to profitability, and more. Stay tuned for the second half where we discuss energy and the grid — and Scaringe shares a passionate stance on plug-in hybrids. Chapters 00:00 The State of Electric Vehicles and Rivian's Position 10:03 Rivian's Brand Identity and Customer Base 20:00 Partnership with Volkswagen and Future Technology 26:06 Financial Challenges and Sustainability of Rivian 26:29 Investment in Technology and Infrastructure 35:25 The Urgency of Transitioning from Fossil Fuels 40:14 Challenges and Opportunities in Energy Transition 44:47 China's Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics 52:54 The Future of Battery Technology and Recycling 53:42 The Case Against Plug-in Hybrids