Americans deserve more range from their all-electric vehicles. It's not a matter of just traveling farther than others, but an advantage that allows EV owners to be more comfortable. Not worrying about charging every time you must add more miles to your usual driving plans is the next step toward mainstreaming zero-tailpipe emission cars with a battery under their floor. Fortunately, Rivian's R1S now ticks that essential box – for a price.
Enjoying more range on a single battery charge isn't something absurd to want. The high-voltage energy storage units installed in today's all-electric vehicles are sensitive to changes in weather, A/C use, and driving style. However, the main issue they have is with the outside temperature. The maximum distance you can cover on a full charge will vary wildly if it's too cold or too hot.
Engineers have developed battery management systems that protect the processes taking place inside the cells from being affected by external conditions. These safety mechanisms consume energy and kick in when the vehicle detects that it needs to keep the battery pack at an optimum operating temperature. That's why EVs fare exceptionally well in temperate climates where summers don't allow the Sun to scorch the earth and winters when outside temperatures don't constantly go below the freezing level.
But with something like the Rivian R1S, you might not care about everything the vehicle does to ensure that everything works smoothly. The automaker released the official EPA numbers before the government organization could do so. The all-electric three-row SUV with a McLaren 720S-inspired suspension system and a knack for off-roading can travel 400 miles (644 kilometers) on a single charge. That's 10 miles less than its pickup truck sibling, the R1T.
That impressive figure is available for the Dual-Motor R1S equipped with the Max Pack Battery (180 kWh). The Irvine-based EV maker does not include it as an option in its online configurator when writing, but we know from building an R1T that it's a $16,000 upgrade.
The Standard Pack (260 miles of range, 105 kWh) is included in the MSRP, while picking the Large Pack (340 miles of range, 135 kWh) costs $6,000.
Photo: Rivian
Paying $10,000 more for just 60 miles of more range may seem like a stretch, but it could be a helpful option for many Americans living in rural areas or places without easy access to overnight AC charging.
Here's how things look at a glance:
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Large Pack + 20-inch all-terrain wheels – 307 miles and $87,600 or $88,600, depending on the wheel design;
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Large Pack + 21-inch wheels – 352 miles and $84,000;
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Large Pack + 22-inch wheels – 341 miles and $86,500 or $87,500, depending on the wheel design;
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Max Pack + 20-inch all-terrain wheels – 355 miles and $97,600 or $98,600, depending on the wheel design;
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Max Pack + 21-inch wheels – 400 miles and $94,000;
Dual Motor Rivian R1S + the Max Pack + 22-inch all-terrain wheels – 380 miles and $96,500 or $97,500, depending on the wheel design.
It's not yet known if the quad-motor R1S with the Max Pack will get similar range figures. Bosch supplies the power units for the quad-motor R1S.
Rivian has also artificially limited the output of its motors developed in-house, known as Enduro units. If customers want their total output, they'll have to scoop up an extra $5,000. Doing so, will up the power figure from 533 to 665 hp. The good news is that eliminating that software lock does not impact the range. That is, of course, true only if you don't hoon it around.
The young auto brand confirmed in March that deliveries of the Dual-Motor R1S with the Max Pack energy storage unit would begin in the fall of 2023. It's not yet happening, but we might soon see the EVs reaching patient customers who may have waited years to get their hands on these configurations.
Finally, keep in mind that the Environmental Protection Agency has not updated its findings yet. All this information is provided by Rivian. The company claims they are official range figures.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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