Rivian is currently one of the startups dedicated to the manufacturing of making electric cars more attractive on the scene. Its first two models, the SUV R1S and the R1T pick-up, surprised everyone at the time of its presence thanks to its high autonomies (660 km and 640 km respectively under the realistic American homologation cycle EPA). This is something they achieved thanks to their battery packs in two heights.
The first R1Ts are expected to arrive at reservists at the end of the year, while R1S will begin deliveries somewhat later. Such is the interest that the company has raised, that giants of the likes of Amazon or Ford have recently invested in it (the first has commissioned the production of 100,000 electric delivery vans, and the second the manufacturing of a luxury electric SUV under the Lincoln brand).
Until now, it was known that the R1T with standard battery (480 km EPA) would cost about $69,000, with the equivalent R1S (500 km EPA) going to $72,000. However, during a recent event in San Francisco, the company’s executive director, RJ Scaringe, said the final prices of the vehicles would be “lower.”
Beyond confirming that Rivian is gradually approaching the start of mass production of its first vehicles (which accumulate a large number of orders), Scaringe said Rivian is working on the development of a cargo network in locations key as national parks. The R1S and R1T are defined as “adventure vehicles” since they will enjoy excellent off-road benefits.
On the other hand, it was confirmed that both R1S and R1T will be able to load in the vast majority of current charging stations, which leads us to think that unlike Tesla vehicles, which have a specific fast-charging port in States United, both will equip a CCS Combo 1 type connector, the North American standard.
Brian Gase, Rivian’s chief project engineer, confirmed that the larger batteries used by Rivian would have a total of 7,776 lithium-ion cells. This is not surprising since the top-of-the-range pack of the R1S and R1T will have a capacity of 180 kWh (since the cells are distributed on two floors, the battery will be similar to two packs of 90 kWh, one on top of the other and with a conventional housing).