Max Pack vs Large Pack range test (by Out of Spec)

[R1TS]

We already knew the usable capacity from the EPA docs. I did a video on that.

So it's 11 kwh (like the EPA docs say) usable. I say it still might be worth it for some. This test still doesn't tell us the value, which I have said will be on longer road trips in the form of public charging time savings.

11kwh is 11kwh lower efficiency lower the additional range. Higher the efficiency the higher the difference.

Eh. That marginal difference is moot with Tesla supercharging opening up.

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[Eric9610]

The warranty seems to be the same 100k miles but I would not be surprised if the cells used can do an extra 200 charging cycles due to newer/better chemistry. If true, it may be worth the extra $$$ to have a pack that can do an extra 60k miles.

The chemistry change was for density and we know that denser batteries degrade faster. Why do you think the longest warranty Rivian offers is on the QM large pack... 8 years 175k vs 8 years 150. If the max pack was better in chemistry the warranty would be longer. This is straight from the Rivian warranty page.

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-warranty-coverage-on-a-new-rivian

 

[Miketz]

The chemistry change was for density and we know that denser batteries degrade faster. Why do you think the longest warranty Rivian offers is on the QM large pack... 8 years 175k vs 8 years 150. If the max pack was better in chemistry the warranty would be longer. This is straight from the Rivian warranty page.

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-warranty-coverage-on-a-new-rivian

You are correct and I am wrong... I was looking for an explanation of the 10k charge.

 

[krb1183]

It's great to see a solid range test here. But it's the most frustrating results. I am an early pre-order holder who was so excited for the opportunity to pre-order a max pack to get me from my home in San Diego to my parents snow-bird place in mesa AZ, exactly 360 miles from my house without a charging stop. Now it appears that may not even be achievable in the real world. Does anyone think that trip is doable without a charging stop? Disappointed in what the max pack has become for range.
I delayed my delivery this fall because we are now planning a move out of state this spring so the max pack is looking more and more irrelevant to my situation.

 

[BigE]

Yes, there is not a non-tesla fast charger between southwestern WI and northeastern WI in upper Door County, WI. For this reason, I opted for the max pack and waited 4 years for its delivery. I value a non-stop drive from our farm to our house on the lake and if I would need to charge the Rivian it would be a major challenge. In my Tesla, it's not a problem whatsoever as there are superchargers all along the route. I exchanged my 2018 Tesla Model 3 for the 2022 Model S Long Range for the same reason, increased range. (As an early Rivian reservation/buyer the price difference was negligible between the large and max pack.)

The EA chargers in Howard/Green Bay should be open soon. Not sure what is taking so long to commission them.

 

[ridgetopview]

The EA chargers in Howard/Green Bay should be open soon. Not sure what is taking so long to commission them.

Yes, it’s beyond silly why it takes so long, over 18 months and folks still waiting with bated breath for the Howard EA to open.

 

[hgpayne]

Range is still king. I have booked a campground just because the next supercharger was JUST that much too far to make. I want the most towing range plus once I am at camp, I want the most daily exploring range. When wandering across the vastness of Canyonlands 4x4 trails I want to know I'll get back. Yes, it was an expensive upgrade and certainly questionable, but nobody ever said, "Gee, I wish I had less range."

 

[Scubagoalie]

Depends on typical travel distances. For some that extra 22 mile could be the difference between making it to the next charging stop, or not. Though, I think most are choosing it because of current pricing and/or range anxiety (because you can theoretically get 400+ if configured with 21" wheels)—large numbers of Rivian owners are first-time EV owners.

I have 21" wheels and just charged to 420 miles, so was absolutely worth it

 

[RivRiv]

We already knew the usable capacity from the EPA docs. I did a video on that.

So it's 11 kwh (like the EPA docs say) usable. I say it still might be worth it for some. This test still doesn't tell us the value, which I have said will be on longer road trips in the form of public charging time savings.

11kwh is 11kwh lower efficiency lower the additional range. Higher the efficiency the higher the difference.

Isn't it then a question of the pack being software limited (like Tesla does) or the actual pack size is greater on the Max? Does anyone really know?? $10K is a lot of clams for just a delta of + or - 40 miles.

 

[RivRiv]

Range is still king. I have booked a campground just because the next supercharger was JUST that much too far to make. I want the most towing range plus once I am at camp, I want the most daily exploring range. When wandering across the vastness of Canyonlands 4x4 trails I want to know I'll get back. Yes, it was an expensive upgrade and certainly questionable, but nobody ever said, "Gee, I wish I had less range."

Well it then becomes a question of personal needs. Sounds like you need the Max, most or many won't. I also have a diesel car that has a range of 800 plus miles per tank. Have I ever used it? Oh hell no, my bladder begs to differ. The one thing that made me steer away from Max pack is that I place a priority on performance (Quad) rather than range and Max is not available in Quad Motor vehicles.

There is a YouTuber who got 342 out of a large Pack Quad motor on conserve at 70 MPH in Florida , so its obvious that YMMV .

 

[mkhuffman]

I have 21" wheels and just charged to 420 miles, so was absolutely worth it

What the GOM pops up on the display is not your real range, and definitely not the range anyone will get at highway speeds. EPA range <> reality.

 

[Supratachophobia]

Looks like another video going into greater detail. Watching now.....

 

[RivianDad2]

…but nobody ever said, "Gee, I wish I had less range."

This reminds me of when I installed my solar panels. Everyone I spoke to who had done said: “I wish I had put up a few more panels.”

After hearing that a few times, I called the company doing our installation and asked if there was room for more panels. They told me they didn’t want me to think they were overselling me, but that they could do it. 6 months in and my net electric expense is $24 (not including the charges for selling to the grid). Those extra panels were 100% worth it even before going EV.

I haven’t met anyone who wishes they had put up fewer panels.

 

[webfootdawg]

Looks like another video going into greater detail. Watching now.....

The plot thickens...

 

[kizamybute']

TLDW;
It was cold out, expect around 20~ more miles during the summer.
50° outside temp when starting. Around low 40°s finishing driving portion of the test.
70 MPH Freeway Test
Stock 21" wheels, stock 48 cold psi air pressure.
Battery Capacity test was obtained by sitting at the charger blasting the heat after hitting 0% charge.
Ran in all purpose low suspension height (no conserve mode on dual motor).
Climate set at 70° auto.

Large Pack, Dual Motor:
308.3 Miles
128.2 KWH Used
2.41 Mi/KWH
Capacity of large pack 132.1 KWH
3.3 KWH Buffer below zero left.

Max Pack, Dual Motor Performance:
345.5 Miles
141 KWH Used
2.38 Mi/KWH
Capacity of Max Pack 143.3 KWH
2.3 KWH Buffer below zero left.

2.4 mi/kwh is actually pretty good. Not many get more than that. So, doesn't appear that the cold weather impacted it that much. 50 degrees isn't that cold. Batteries really struggle when temps get close to freezing. Basically, the Max pack only offers 11 more kwh over the Large pack. That's nearly $1,000 per kw. Far higher than the $100 per kwh battery cost manufacturers are aiming for and still far beyond the $500 per kwh they're actually charging for more capacity today. I'd save the $10,000 unless your common long distance route would be greatly benefitted by 20 or more so miles per charge. Could be for some depending on spacing of chargers. For most, 20 miles isn't going to let you skip many charging stops. Might save you 5 minutes of charge time at each stop.

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