? Official EPA Range and MPGe Numbers for R1T & R1S

[Ralph]

It’s more the AT tires than the wheels themselves. If you put low rolling resistance tires on a set of 20s I guarantee you’ll see similar number to the 21s.

I agree with regard to the wheels. But IMO, resistance itself, likely not largest contributor to lower range when comparing the Rivian 20" vs 21" tire/wheel systems.

It's possible that there is a significant difference in the weight of the two sets of wheels by themselves with the smaller wheel weighing more. This seems unlikely to me with Rivians attention to detail.

But it is almost a certainty that the all-terrain (AT) tires weigh significantly more than street tires (less rubber and sidewall). One of the major advantages of the smaller wheels is to be able to have more sidewall. This allows air pressure to be reduced for additional traction when off road. Hence at least one reason for the on-board air-compressor.

Of course, AT tires also have more tread above the sidewall. In both cases, more rubber translates to more weight and that translates to more power under acceleration/deceleration. And yes the additional rubber, being more "squishy" has additional rolling resistance.

Another potential contributing factor comes to mind - circumference of the tire/wheel combo. The Rivian configurator appears to confirm that the smaller wheels are paired with taller sidewall tire. I don't believe it is known at this point that the 20" combo is either taller or shorter than the 21" combo. The 20 inch "appears" in the configurator to be taller, but this might be a illusion.

Depending on the exact spec of the tire, the all-terrain could either be slightly smaller (most likely) to save weight and energy, the same, or even taller in circumference (less likely) as the 21" tire.

Food for thought and speculation. We'll have facts "soon".

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[DucRider]

The Rivian configurator appears to confirm that the smaller wheels are paired with taller sidewall tire. I don't believe it is known at this point that the 20" combo is either taller or shorter than the 21" combo. The 20 inch "appears" in the configurator to be taller, but this might be a illusion.

We know the tire sizes and the stock 20s are 1" greater in diameter than the 21s and 22s

 

[Ralph]

We know the tire sizes and the stock 20s are 1" greater in diameter than the 21s and 22s

I may well have missed something. We know that the wheels differ by one inch. That doesn't "necessarily" translate to the tire/wheel combination.

Or can you point me to the info about the combination?

 

[BrayBay]

Someone correct me if I was imagining this, but wasn't there 20" All-Terrain wheel with aero covers? I think I saw it in photo somewhere. Any idea if that would improve range (even if slightly) on the 20" wheels?

Regardless, I will stick with the 20" wheels just for easier replacement of tires down the line. From what I've been reading, that 21" being unique could cause a real headache depending on the situation.

 

[electruck]

I may well have missed something. We know that the wheels differ by one inch. That doesn't "necessarily" translate to the tire/wheel combination.

Or can you point me to the info about the combination?

Tire sizes are old news.

https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/road/pirelli-tires-tailor-made-for-rivian

 

[Ralph]

275/55R21 is the stock size for Rivian. That tire has a 6" sidewall according to tiresize.com

The Toyota Tacoma comes with a 265/60/R18 tire. That tire has a 6.3" sidewall according to the same website.

Do you really think 6" is not sufficient for potholes? Do you think that 0.3" is likely to make a significant difference for most people?

I think the 21's will do just fine for even neglected urban roads. The downside to the 21's, is really the odd size. It may be harder to find replacements, and they may be expensive since there isn't any competition.

Only the most un-common version of the Tacoma (the Limited) comes with 18" tires. I'm not sure the 16" (most common) or 17" equipped trucks have more/less sidewall, but it seems relevant that the Tacoma weighs in at 1500 to 2000 lbs less and has a much lighter payload limit.

That said, for most paved surfaces, I have confidence that Rivian engineers have it covered with the tire/wheel/suspension combination.

As always, the devil lies in the detail of why each customer is buying a truck and more importantly how and where they intend to use it.

Having spent a great deal of time in Chicago and NY, I'd probably opt for any extra "insurance" I could. No offense intended to either area. If I were driving only in FL, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

As they say, YMMV.

 

[SANZC02]

I did not ask about the 21s but this is the 20 and 22 from CS

Size of tires:

22”-

• size: 275/50R22
• outer diameter of the tire is 33 in.

20”-

• size: 275/65R20
• outer diameter of the tire is 34 in.

 

[Surferdude]

Big bummer on the 20" wheels. It wouldn't be so bad if the 21" option wasn't so feminine looking.

 

[PastyPilgrim]

BigE,

If I knew I was going to drive either Rivian solely on the pavement, I'd surely go with the 22's. Better road handling and range.

Would the ATs provide a significant upgrade for hazardous weather? I have no intention of driving in dunes, rock crawling, etc. (though maybe some mountainous dirt trails like you'd find with logging roads), but I am in New England where weather can get crazy so I've been planning to get the ATs.

 

[Moonjock]

With an average of 300 inches of snow a year I'll keep the 20 ATs

 

[BeanEW]

I think no matter what EPA we are getting on R1T or R1S; it would satisfy some of us and would not satisfy some. It all comes down to how good the Rivian (and partner) charging network will be. I really don't mind stopping every 200 miles to do a quick charge, piss stop and coffee. I'm good if Rivian's charging network is 50% of Tesla.

 

[bajadahl]

I did not ask about the 21s but this is the 20 and 22 from CS

Size of tires:

22”-

• size: 275/50R22
• outer diameter of the tire is 33 in.

20”-

• size: 275/65R20
• outer diameter of the tire is 34 in.

Here is a side by side of thee 20s vs the 21s and 22s. (20s and 21s size taken from the Pirelli Article and 22s taken from the size provided by CS)

 

[seventyfour]

After driving a midnight run 1,000ish mile trip from LA to Portland in a “230 mile range” Model S, this mileage will be great.
Charging stops on a long trip add an annoying percentage of time.

 

[SANZC02]

Thought this was interesting, I always assumed regen was all 4 wheels. According to the EPA excel file you can download, regen is only the front wheels. If this has already been discussed, I must have missed it.

 

[DucRider]

Thought this was interesting, I always assumed regen was all 4 wheels. According to the EPA excel file you can download, regen is only the front wheels. If this has already been discussed, I must have missed it.

I think that is likely a data entry error.

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