R2's A/C performance in really hot weather?

[MClayton]

Would be great if new owners could post their experience with how the a/c is performing in the new R2s in really hot weather.

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[Timmdodge60]

A small sample size, but I had an R2 demo drive in 98 degree F Orlando from 11:30 to noon and no cloud cover. The AC was cold and the ventilated seats were excellent. I was concerned about radiant heat coming down from the glass roof but I didn't notice anything.

 

[Universe93B]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

 

[Dark-Fx]

Mid 90s here today. Can't provide useful info, too busy enjoying all the windows down.

Still got some chill from also having the AC running, but I was never truly comfortable. For comparisons sake, today my R1T was warm my whole drive with the windows all up though.

 

[dcdttu]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

You are going to love this: The A/C on an EV is not dependent on the vehicle moving, at all. In an ICE (Internal combustion engine) vehicle, the engine is at idle and the A/C can't run at full power. This is why forward movement is required to get the system colder, it increases the engine RPM, which in turn increases the compressor speed.

In an E/V, the A/C system is entirely electric, not belt driven, so it's independent of the vehicle motors and/or movement.

This means the A/C can run at full power at a stand-still. You can also remotely activate it to cool down your car before you get in it. And not the way you can be near your ICE vehicle and start it with the remote, I'm talking using the Rivian app to remotely activate it from across the country if you wanted to.

It's great.

 

[morph860]

I also did a demo drive in Orlando on a hot and sunny day. A/C and ventilated seats both worked great and I didn't notice feeling warm from the glass top. I could feel heat coming from the driver's side window and the windshield. But this is normal in new vehicles before a ceramic tint goes on.

 

[emroch]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

I wonder if there is also a benefit to having fresh air pushed through the condenser rather than just having a fan blowing the otherwise stagnant external air around?

 

[18650]

You are going to love this: The A/C on an EV is not dependent on the vehicle moving, at all. In an ICE (Internal combustion engine) vehicle, the engine is at idle and the A/C can't run at full power. This is why forward movement is required to get the system colder, it increases the engine RPM, which in turn increases the compressor speed.

In an E/V, the A/C system is entirely electric, not belt driven, so it's independent of the vehicle motors and/or movement.

This means the A/C can run at full power at a stand-still. You can also remotely activate it to cool down your car before you get in it. And not the way you can be near your ICE vehicle and start it with the remote, I'm talking using the Rivian app to remotely activate it from across the country if you wanted to.

It's great.

Not entirely true of EV AC performance. Reguardless of how the compressor is powered, a moving vehicle provides cooler AC. If that were not the case, there would be no need for the condensor in the front of the vehicle.

That said, EV's can be left "on" while you shop so you return to a cold vehicle. It's a fantastic feature.

 

[dcdttu]

Not entirely true of EV AC performance. Reguardless of how the compressor is powered, a moving vehicle provides cooler AC. If that were not the case, there would be no need for the condensor in the front of the vehicle.

That said, EV's can be left "on" while you shop so you return to a cold vehicle. It's a fantastic feature.

Sure, leaving the hot air an A/C system produces behind by being in motion does help, but I would argue the vast, vast majority of the reason a moving gas car cools better is because the engine is at a higher RPM, thusly the A/C is at a higher RPM.

My Model 3's A/C gets downright frigid at a stand-still. I really don't notice a difference between 0mph and when I'm moving.

 

[mcdaniken]

Just did demo in Phoenix a few days ago. Sunny and roughly 100F. The AC was fine, but the 'easy bake oven' glass left the top of my bald head pretty warm.

 

[18650]

Sure, leaving the hot air an A/C system produces behind by being in motion does help, but I would argue the vast, vast majority of the reason a moving gas car cools better is because the engine is at a higher RPM, thusly the A/C is at a higher RPM.

My Model 3's A/C gets downright frigid at a stand-still. I really don't notice a difference between 0mph and when I'm moving.

Can't make an argument against this.

Now living (temporarily) in FL, having a EV is the best thing since sliced bread. Just leave the car on while I shop.

 

[HootyTwo]

Test drove one in Northern California (Walnut Creek) on a mid-80's day. Second row would really benefit from pillar vents.

I know people say there is no heat transfer from the glass roof but I sure felt like the persistent noon sun made it warmer in the 2nd row where the blasting AC didn't quite reach. Admittedly we didn't spend time aligning the front vents so that may have played a part in the experience.

I'd take a sunroof that opens vs a glass roof all day long. But this is the way it is. A screen will of course help a great deal.

Another note - the air cooled seats are much stronger (and much louder) than my already loud Rav4 Prime's. Worth the trade off imo. Air cooled seats an all-time great feature for a car. Unlike Apple CarPlay which sucks.

 

[FlyingPilot2012]

As a non-EV owner, I have a question about remote starting/climate functions.

One of my favorite things about our current ICE car is the remote start - either from key or the app. I greatly prefer using the key, as it is 10x faster than loading up an app (and free). From the key, I just press the lock 3x and viola, the engine starts and cabin starts cooling (or heating in the winter).

Even if I do this just 30-60 seconds before entering as I walk towards the car, it makes a big difference.

On a Rivian, what is the equivalent of this process? I see some commenters mentioned the HVAC just stays on, but surely that's a massive waste if you won't return to your car for several hours...

Is there a proximity thing, where it knows you are heading back to the car and starts the HVAC? How does that work when parked at home and I walk by it? Can I just "start" it from the key?

I suspect the answer is just open the app every time to start the HVAC, but that's definitely a downgrade from my current setup with the key (but I can live with it).

*Also, it's about 100f here this weekend, and I have my second test drive scheduled on Saturday, so definitely about to get a great idea of how well the A/C works .

 

[SlaterGS]

So it "works". Great!
What about the sound inside and outside of the cabin?
How is the vibration in the steering wheel or pedals?

My Gen1 R1S has a jet engine for the AC.

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