Rivian R1S questions.

[Zeusy Zeus]

Convenience and cost sum it up for me, but others may have additional reasons....

Is it really that much of a cost savings? Seems like with the price you’re paying which is substantially more than an ICE it levels out. But other than that initial cost you do notice it’s cheaper with maintenance and range?

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[Dave Cundiff]

Is it really that much of a cost savings? Seems like with the price you’re paying which is substantially more than an ICE it levels out. But other than that initial cost you do notice it’s cheaper with maintenance and range?

In Pacific County we have public power, which is generally more reliable (less downtime) and much lower cost than for-profit power.

We pay a monthly base charge. We offset about 8,000 kWh/year with credits from rooftop solar. Our variable cost of electric power is $0.062/kWh. So the energy cost of our Bolts is a little less than $0.02/mile and the energy cost of our Rivian is a little less than $0.03/mile. Home charging is absolutely a lower energy cost than either gasoline or most public chargers.

The Rivian's purchase price seemed greater than a comparable ICE car, but our consciences would not have allowed us to buy this size SUV in an ICE model. The payback period for rooftop solar is probably about 40 years, because our power rates for hydropower are so cheap, but rooftop solar is good for the planet and helps provide backup in case of a regional disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Earthquake.

Too early to tell about Rivian's maintenance costs. So far, so good, at least for ours. Tire options are costly; I expect to pay maybe $0.03 to $0.08 per mile for tires, Other maintenance is cheap, unless something breaks. We'll all see how reliable our R1's are over time.

Very best wishes, @Zeusy Zeus!

 

[Zeusy Zeus]

In Pacific County we have public power, which is generally more reliable (less downtime) and much lower cost than for-profit power.

We pay a monthly base charge. We offset about 8,000 kWh/year with credits from rooftop solar. Our variable cost of electric power is $0.062/kWh. So the energy cost of our Bolts is a little less than $0.02/mile and the energy cost of our Rivian is a little less than $0.03/mile. Home charging is absolutely a lower energy cost than either gasoline or most public chargers.

The Rivian's purchase price seemed greater than a comparable ICE car, but our consciences would not have allowed us to buy this size SUV in an ICE model. The payback period for rooftop solar is probably about 40 years, because our power rates for hydropower are so cheap, but rooftop solar is good for the planet and helps provide backup in case of a regional disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Earthquake.

Too early to tell about Rivian's maintenance costs. So far, so good, at least for ours. Tire options are costly; I expect to pay maybe $0.03 to $0.08 per mile for tires, Other maintenance is cheap, unless something breaks. We'll all see how reliable our R1's are over time.

Very best wishes, @Zeusy Zeus!

Very cool sounds like you’re covered for just about anything! Thank you for the breakdown definitely feels worth it now charging from home. Need to do some research on the rates down here in Miami but it can’t be too far off. Cheers!

 

[Chewy734]

We pay a monthly base charge. We offset about 8,000 kWh/year with credits from rooftop solar. Our variable cost of electric power is $0.062/kWh.

Man, that’s nice! I’m offsetting about 5,000 kWh/year through solar, but sadly our energy costs are ~$0.37/kWh through SCE. ?

 

[Redline]

I pay less than 3 cents a kWh overnights to charge my R1S.

If I was in Cali, I’d 100% have solar. I feel bad for what you guys pay for electricity.

 

[MWB]

22 would definitely be my first pick…but I feel like the 20” AT just suit the look better. It looks perfect with them on in my opinion. And to see that it will still give 307 miles of range while with the AT is great. But, part of me wants the quad!!

There has been a lot of feedback on the 20" wheel tire options... summary is that there are more 20" replacement options, many of which are All Season choices which can give you better efficiency (rivaling the 21's and 22's if I'm remembering right), lower road noise, and similar if not better Winter traction. And there are a couple all-season options that still have that rugged look. There are multiple forum threads on this topic. Here's one of them: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-wheels-and-33-tires-options-275-60r20.24561/

And here's one guy who says he found the holy grail of tires for the 20" wheel, and All Terrain that is quieter and 25% more efficient: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ent-than-pirelli-oem-at-the-holy-grail.25468/

 

[mkg3]

Man, that’s nice! I’m offsetting about 5,000 kWh/year through solar, but sadly our energy costs are ~$0.37/kWh through SCE. ?

Do you not have SCE-TOU EV rate?
https://www.sce.com/residential/rates/electric-vehicle-plans

During the summer, its $0.26 and in winter, its $0.24 per kWh for off-Peak and Super Off-Peak.

I have SDG&E and my super off-peak rate is $0.14/kWh from midnight to 6.00AM.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I’m going from a BMW M4 to a R1S… I’ve had a bad experience in the past with Rivian delivery but I’m giving them a 3rd to make things right especially with their new XPEL Stealth promo. Since we are on the topic of first time EV buyers anyone else shift from a sports car to one of their vehicles and want to comment on their experience? That’s honestly been my biggest fear forget the range anxiety it’s missing the sound of that engine.

I went from an Infiniti sports sedan with 328 hp / 3,800 lbs to 835 HP / 7000 lbs tank and felt like I made the right decision given my lead foot. 0-60 went from 5 second to 3.2 seconds. I felt like It was a nice upgrade and what I was looking for as my next vehicle.

The adjustable sport suspension along with quad motor for torque vectoring really makes the SUV handle like a sports sedan. I am sure with 22" tires it will grip and handle even closer to a sports sedan than 20" All Terrains.

I still have my Infiniti but rarely drive it now since Rivian is much more comfortable, better tech, more power and has a better seating position.

You'll will enjoy the move from a sports car to R1S given the power and adjustable suspension. Just stick with 22" tires if you're an aggressive driver who likes to corner hard or take the scenic route at full speed.

 

[Glembi2]

I went from an Infiniti sports sedan with 328 hp / 3,800 lbs to 835 HP / 7000 lbs tank and felt like I made the right decision given my lead foot. 0-60 went from 5 second to 3.2 seconds. I felt like It was a nice upgrade and what I was looking for as my next vehicle.

The adjustable sport suspension along with quad motor for torque vectoring really makes the SUV handle like a sports sedan. I am sure with 22" tires it will grip and handle even closer to a sports sedan than 20" All Terrains.

I still have my Infiniti but rarely drive it now since Rivian is much more comfortable, better tech, more power and has a better seating position.

You'll will enjoy the move from a sports car to R1S given the power and adjustable suspension. Just stick with 22" tires if you're an aggressive driver who likes to corner hard or take the scenic route at full speed.

Same here!

I sold my 328 bhp Infiniti in 2022 and was going through withdrawal for a year and a half. The only two things that keep my spirited driving in check are Hawaiian music and passengers reminding me that I failed to provide sufficient air sickness bags for everyone. ?

 

[Zeusy Zeus]

I went from an Infiniti sports sedan with 328 hp / 3,800 lbs to 835 HP / 7000 lbs tank and felt like I made the right decision given my lead foot. 0-60 went from 5 second to 3.2 seconds. I felt like It was a nice upgrade and what I was looking for as my next vehicle.

The adjustable sport suspension along with quad motor for torque vectoring really makes the SUV handle like a sports sedan. I am sure with 22" tires it will grip and handle even closer to a sports sedan than 20" All Terrains.

I still have my Infiniti but rarely drive it now since Rivian is much more comfortable, better tech, more power and has a better seating position.

You'll will enjoy the move from a sports car to R1S given the power and adjustable suspension. Just stick with 22" tires if you're an aggressive driver who likes to corner hard or take the scenic route at full speed.

Cool thanks for the reply midnight and I’m glad to hear you’re happy with your purchase as I already know because you’re an avid supporter of Rivian on these boards. My only worry of course is their longevity I’m rooting for them in this macro environment it’s really hard but the product is unwavering. I did have a bad delivery experience twice so I’m hoping this 3rd time is different. Wish me luck ??

 

[MidnightRivian]

Cool thanks for the reply midnight and I’m glad to hear you’re happy with your purchase as I already know because you’re an avid supporter of Rivian on these boards. My only worry of course is their longevity I’m rooting for them in this macro environment it’s really hard but the product is unwavering. I did have a bad delivery experience twice so I’m hoping this 3rd time is different. Wish me luck ??

I’m not worried about Rivian at all. This macro environment is exactly where Rivian will thrive.

They’ve got a 5 seater SUV which saves from having to buy gas for mass market priced below the average new car transaction price and a commercial product with lower maintenance, less downtime, cheaper to operate over the long run which is now open to companies other than Amazon.

Between Amazon, institutions and retail ready to invest or already have a vested interest. I’m not worried about Rivian having access to capital.

They’ll be in a good position Q4 when pre-order pricing is over and the cost savings from April shutdown have already worked their way into the per vehicle production cost.

They have a strong brand, a solid product and a good leader.

They’ll be just fine as gas goes from $4 to $6 thanks to inflation / war / demand.

Good luck on your delivery.

 

[Zeusy Zeus]

I’m not worried about Rivian at all. This macro environment is exactly where Rivian will thrive.

They’ve got a 5 seater SUV which saves from having to buy gas for mass market priced below the average new car transaction price and a commercial product with lower maintenance, less downtime, cheaper to operate over the long run which is now open to companies other than Amazon.

Between Amazon, institutions and retail ready to invest or already have a vested interest. I’m not worried about Rivian having access to capital.

They’ll be in a good position Q4 when pre-order pricing is over and the cost savings from April shutdown have already worked their way into the per vehicle production cost.

They have a strong brand, a solid product and a good leader.

They’ll be just fine as gas goes from $4 to $6 thanks to inflation / war / demand.

Good luck on your delivery.

Great points hoping you’re right. Thanks man ??

 

[Rivianready]

I’ve had my R1S 6 months now. I have had zero problems. With regards to your commute, as long as you have a level 2 charger at home, you’ll be in good shape. With regards to an EV, the idea of not having to go to a gas station and have the expense is a huge plus. I think because you have such a long commute, you will really appreciate that. This is my first EV and I’ll never go back to an ICE.

 

[R1 EVY]

Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum, and to EVs! I’ve seen lots of Rivians, as well as test driven them, and compared it to Model X, and Mercedes GLE450e(PHEV). However, I have questions. First off, would you recommend me to get an EV? Second, how is reliability? I plan to keep this for at least 7 years, and I commute 70 miles x 5 days a week. How’s the range when driving about 80-90mph? How’s the wind noise compared to say a Mercedes, does it have dual pane glass? Would you recommend Dual Motor or Performance Dual Motor? I am so torn on whether I want a PHEV or an EV. Mercedes and Rivian are my top choices. Please help me out here. This is the one I plan to get, https://rivian.com/configurations/checkout
It’s the white one for $92,350.

I have a white R1S. My experience has been amazing. There have been minor issues, but no vehicle I've owned has been without something. FWIW

Good luck!

 

[MA927]

I just moved out of a GLE 450 and liked it, but I love the Rivian. But if you aren’t going off road, don't need the size benefit of the R1S and are ok not getting software updates to refresh and add capability, the Merceds is a good option. I wouldn’t worry about efficiency at speed as you say you are only going 90 miles a day so as long as you can charge at night it isn't an issue. I have the dual motor version w 21 inch tires and the max pack which is built to optimize range but it still has plenty off off road capability And much more then the Mercedes. The mercedes servicing infrastructure is certainly much better but you’ll be doing a lot of servicing w the Mercedes and hopefully less w the R1S.

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