R2 Range Limitations and Rivian's Response

[Bullwinkle]

The EPA/Rivian range issue is easiest to see by comparing the ratings with real-world highway results.

The 2022–2023 R1S Quad paired roughly 128 kWh of usable battery capacity with a 316-mile EPA rating, or about 2.47 EPA miles per kWh. By 2025–2026, some R1S Standard and Max versions were rated at roughly 2.92–2.93 miles per kWh—an apparent efficiency gain of about 19–20%.

Real-world highway testing, however, does not show anything close to a 20% improvement. Under comparable conditions, early and later R1 models generally remain in the same broad range of roughly 2.0–2.3 mi/kWh. That suggests a meaningful portion of the later EPA range increase came from changes in certification, adjustment factors, or testing methodology rather than from lower energy consumption alone.

The R2 may follow the same pattern. An estimated 88-kWh usable battery and 330-mile EPA rating imply 3.75 mi/kWh, while observed 70-mph efficiency has been closer to about 2.65–2.85 mi/kWh. That translates to roughly 235–250 miles of steady-speed highway range.

If the R2 benefits from a similar 15–20% testing-related uplift, a more representative mixed-driving range may be closer to roughly 275–290 miles.

The likely explanation is simple: the R2 combines a genuine efficiency improvement with a more favorable EPA testing methodology. It may still be an excellent vehicle, but the full 330-mile rating could overstate what many owners experience—especially at highway speeds.

I suspect the just-announced Volvo EX50 will be the bigger challenger seeing as they're targeting the mid-40's price point. We'll see.

Volvo has said they will not offer and are not working on Level 2 autonomy and won't offer it.

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[Bullwinkle]

Even with 5% battery degradation, which would be unusually high, the Model Y Premium AWD would still likely have more real highway range than a brand-new R2.

And most buyers will compare every dual-motor R2, including the Performance, with the Model Y Premium AWD, because both the R2 Premium and R2 Performance carry the same 330-mile EPA rating.

Assuming 5% battery degradation in the Model Y Premium AWD:

City-heavy/mixed, 100%–0%
Model Y AWD: ~310 miles
R2: ~270–300 miles

70 mph, 100%–0%
Model Y AWD: ~280–315 miles
R2: ~250–255 miles

75 mph, 100%–0%
Model Y AWD: ~265–285 miles
R2: ~250–260 miles

70 mph, 100%–20%
Model Y AWD: ~225–250 miles
R2: ~200 miles

75 mph, 100%–20%
Model Y AWD: ~210–230 miles
R2: ~200–208 miles

You may be a little low on the MY. Why do you have R2's range higher at 75 mph than 70 mph?

 

[DanDibs58]

This thread kind of takes me back to the days of 'range anxiety' of the late 2010's. Before I got my Model Y in 2021, I, too, was concerned about it. But then I got the car and have no issues with the range since (and my battery is at about 86% capacity compared to new). As long as there are plenty of reliable chargers when I'm on a road trip (and 30% of my 95k miles are 'on the road') and I can get close to my max charge speed for a bit, I'm happy. And add me to those that can't really drive more than 2 - 2 1/2 hours without a bladder break. The R2 seems to have a better curve than the MY, so I'm happy with that. And the Tesla Superchargers have proven, for me, to be extremely reliable. Just avoid the old V2 ones.

 

[sparked]

Rivian has enough orders to make 2026, I think. The competition is going to be tougher in 2027 and Rivian plans dnd to bring the Georgia factory online in the 2nd half of the year, Q3 and Q4 2027 need to be huge sales periods.

Rivian factory in Georgia starts production in Late 2028

https://rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-announces-optimized-capacity-plan-for-georgia-plant

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I'm fresh off a camping trip from Vancouver - Revelstoke and back in our Gen 1 R1T with a paddleboard strapped to the roof.

The route goes up through the Rockies with several extreme elevation changes (anyone familiar with the Coquihalla can attest) and speeds of roughly 125-130kph (77-80mph)

The data says we can make it by doing 4 deep charge/discharge cycles. The reality was we stopped and charged 13 times, not because we needed to, but because each stop just happened to have a DCFC. Each stop was either for a bathroom break, food, or a teams meeting.

Point being, do you really need to do full pack deep cycles on a road trip? Charging along most corridors has been built out so well, that even random un-planned stops can give you a quick splash and dash of electrons, really only forcing you to stop for a planned charge once or twice.

I think it sucks that the R2 isn't matching Model Y range, but it reminds me of the early R1 days where I had it in my head that 135kWh would never be enough for the trips I aspired to take, and I NEEDED the 180kWh pack. Fast forward 7 years (4 preorder + 3 years ownership) and my perception has changed, I can do all the trips I planned to do with 135kWh. And the charging infrastructure I was so hung up on not being able to make these trips possible, have been filled out so much that I pass chargers without a second thought.

On paper, you want customers to have to stop and charge as little as possible, in reality, people stop more than you and I think, and they start not to notice it.

Edit* added a couple photos of the trip

 

[Guuma]

Glad you admit they abused the discretion they had. As others have said that discretion should now be eliminated and have just one set of tests without cherry picking.

I would argue people are so hyper focused on range with EVs (unfairly maybe?), which leads to people paying way more attention to EPA/efficiency numbers, that we forget that many cars manufacturers play these games. My old Subaru Outback and Honda Accord never got their EPA rated efficiency numbers. My Camry and Sienna did.

I rented a car recently (Santa Fe maybe?) when my car was in the shop and I had to stop frequently to fill up on road trips because it had a range of 345-360. Every 280ish miles we have to stop, so ICE cars can have the same struggles, we just tend to ignore it in ICE vehicles. I greatly miss being able to just plug at home or work not worry about range or when to fill up, especially with gas prices fluctuating from 3.45 to 4.29 in a week.

 

[rvnxyz001]

My old Subaru Outback and Honda Accord never got their EPA rated efficiency numbers. My Camry and Sienna did.

I don't think this can be used as an argument. You can "charge" an ICE car in a few minutes to 100% and add like 300 miles of range. And "chargers" are everywhere, and you don't need any route planning for this.

EV cars will take over ice when charging will be fast as fueling up and range will match hybrid car (China is almost there)

Sure, the US and Canada are unique. Lots of people live in their own houses with their own chargers, but to have more EVs on the roads, manufacturers have to target people who drive a lot and people who live in apartments.

 

[DanDibs58]

I'm fresh off a camping trip from Vancouver - Revelstoke and back in our Gen 1 R1T with a paddleboard strapped to the roof.

The route goes up through the Rockies with several extreme elevation changes (anyone familiar with the Coquihalla can attest) and speeds of roughly 125-130kph (77-80mph)

The data says we can make it by doing 4 deep charge/discharge cycles. The reality was we stopped and charged 13 times, not because we needed to, but because each stop just happened to have a DCFC. Each stop was either for a bathroom break, food, or a teams meeting.

Point being, do you really need to do full pack deep cycles on a road trip? Charging along most corridors has been built out so well, that even random un-planned stops can give you a quick splash and dash of electrons, really only forcing you to stop for a planned charge once or twice.

I think it sucks that the R2 isn't matching Model Y range, but it reminds me of the early R1 days where I had it in my head that 135kWh would never be enough for the trips I aspired to take, and I NEEDED the 180kWh pack. Fast forward 7 years (4 preorder + 3 years ownership) and my perception has changed, I can do all the trips I planned to do with 135kWh. And the charging infrastructure I was so hung up on not being able to make these trips possible, have been filled out so much that I pass chargers without a second thought.

On paper, you want customers to have to stop and charge as little as possible, in reality, people stop more than you and I think, and they start not to notice it.

I NEVER do deep charges on the road. I much prefer to Supercharger-hop, and this generally is what the car (2021 Model Y) asks me to do, as it usually results in a shorter overall time for the trip.

 

[TexasBob]

The R2 was tested over variable-speed highway cycles averaging roughly 48–61 mph, with brief peaks around 80 mph. It was not tested at a steady 70 or 80 mph...

That is correct. Your first post was in error when you said "which averages only about 48 mph and peaks around 60 mph"

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I NEVER do deep charges on the road. I much prefer to Supercharger-hop, and this generally is what the car (2021 Model Y) asks me to do, as it usually results in a shorter overall time for the trip.

100% that's the way to go. This trip in particular was meant to have only 2 stops on the way there, we left with 98% so one 26 minutes, and another 9 minutes to arrive at camp with 70% Soc. But the reality was different. Many little stops instead.

 

[Mos Eisley]

Volvo has said they will not offer and are not working on Level 2 autonomy and won't offer it.

I was referring to competition/range/value in general. As far as L2 Autonomy - they are going straight to L3 but no idea on timeline.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Rivian seems to have enough orders to hit 2026 targets. But the competition is going to be tougher in 2027, and Rivian plans to bring the Georgia factory online in the 2nd half of the year. So, Q3 and Q4 2027 need to be huge sales periods.

Competition will be formidable in 2027:

Tesla Model Y and YL 6 seater $50k to $62k, 255 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

BMW iX3 $73k, 350 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

MB GLC $77k, 260-mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

Volvo EX60 P10 $64k, 270 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC (no autonomous driving)

Rivian R2 $62.5K ($2k of options and autonomy+), 200 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

(Typical freeway range is my estimate for new vehicles equipped on manfacturer's website to match Performance R2 with Autonomy +)

Reckless Speculation:
Although 2026 volume estimates appear to be on track, I think Rivian may need to increase range by 20-25% to hit its 2nd half 2027 volume estimates.

Is this possible without a structural redesign? Is there room for more batteries or the same number of higher energy cell? Are there manufacturing and/or software changes that can help in the near term? What could be done in time for the Lidar/CPU update?

I am thinking that a 10% range boost through software and manufacturing process tweaks could come with the Lidar/CPU launch. Could an extended battery range option be offered by this time next year, maybe 30-50 miles for $2-3k? If 20 miles can be achieved in the next few months through tweaks, and a 50-mile extended range option were shipping before Q4 2027, Rivian would be well-positioned to proceed with the new Georgia plant.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Rivian factory in Georgia starts production in Late 2028

https://rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-announces-optimized-capacity-plan-for-georgia-plant

I stand corrected.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I would argue people are so hyper focused on range with EVs

I agree with this. Interesting that EV veterans seem to be less concerned.

 

[DJFrerichs]

All, lets be mindful this (R2) is a box on wheels. Also, these current battery packs come from South Korea and are Rivian's first edition of the 4695 pack condition. I believe in early 2027, the new LG plan in Arizona will be the primary source for Rivian's 4695 cells and would suspect the chemistry will improve that could equate to better range and performace. Also, we all know...Rivian listens and I would suspect Rivian is hearing/seeing the concerns and will come with an even better efficiency/range result in the 2028 R2 with the addition of the RAP1 w/ Lidar support.

At the end of the day, the current R2 is still a great road tripper. Plenty of high speed chargers available. driving +200 miles (+3 hours) will equate to a stopping somewhere near the end of that distance to use the restroom, get a bite to eat while also charging up for 15-20 min to do your next leg. Long trips people are not doing every single day. If I have to drive more than 8 hours a day, I am flying. We have to view this as to how people "actually" use their cars daily. There are so many other bells and whistles, interior fit and finish and overall better design the Rivian has over the others to further validate the price. EV cars are software driven and Rivian is an amazing software designer improving the car monthly, thus improving your experiece monthly. Literally a new car each month.

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