Creative ways to extend range and/or charge your Rivian

[joesimonsen]

Could be gas, diesel, hydrogen, or fuel cells. You are basically creating a fuel powered eletric drivetain similar to a the diesel-eletrics in a locomotive at that point. I would suspect cost and weight are the reason we see plug in hybrids instead.

Yeah I think when you do the math you can maybe get and extra 20-40 miles additional by bringing lots of everything with you and being super creative but that is offset by just stopping to charge for a few minutes in the end.

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[Deacon]

My tricks are 1. Slow Down. 2. Draft behind a large vehicle. 3. Always have an alternate charging location planned and lots of adapters.

The number of CCS charging locations is increasing so fast that even without a NACS to CCS adapter, I really don't have much concern any more sbout traveling.

Unless you are traveling in WV!

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

Unless you are traveling in WV!

Unless WV has a lot more EVs than I realize so you have to wait in line, it looks pretty good to me. What are the issues?

 

[JamboF4]

My tricks are 1. Slow Down. 2. Draft behind a large vehicle. 3. Always have an alternate charging location planned and lots of adapters.

The number of CCS charging locations is increasing so fast that even without a NACS to CCS adapter, I really don't have much concern any more sbout traveling.

I would be hesitant to “draft” behind big trucks, unless you just LOVE rocks in your front end and in the windshield. Just my $.02

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

I would be hesitant to “draft” behind big trucks, unless you just LOVE rocks in your front end and in the windshield. Just my $.02

Thats why its only when you need to extend range to get to the next charger. Its a calcutaed risk which having PPF on the front helps to reduce.

 

[JamboF4]

Thats why its only when you need to extend range to get to the next charger. Its a calcutaed risk which having PPF on the front helps to reduce.

Not a risk I’m willing to take… I have NEVER drafted a semi to get a few extra yard or miles….will never.

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

Not a risk I’m willing to take… I have NEVER drafted a semi to get a few extra yard or miles….will never.

To each their own.

 

[Deacon]

Unless WV has a lot more EVs than I realize so you have to wait in line, it looks pretty good to me. What are the issues?

Only charger at 150+ kwh is the Blink one in Huntington at a Chevy dealer. All rest are well under 150 kwh, some under 50 kwh - can make for a long charging stop. There are several level 2 chargers at a few B&Bs and state parks.

 

[Donna Faith]

A light weight solar panel that folks could choose as an option to extend range.

 

[djsider2]

Drive the speed limit on the highway. Huge!

The only issue with this is I have to stay in the lane with the huge trucks throwing up pebbles, hay, onion skins, etc.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

My tricks are 1. Slow Down. 2. Draft behind a large vehicle. 3. Always have an alternate charging location planned and lots of adapters.

The number of CCS charging locations is increasing so fast that even without a NACS to CCS adapter, I really don't have much concern any more sbout traveling.

Mythbusters proved that in order to have any measurable effect from drafting, you would have to have to be dangerously close. Data here;

They achieved the following results -
55mph - no vehicles in front - 32mpg
Drafting @100 feet - 35.5mpg (+10%)
Drafting at 50 feet - 38.5mpg (+20%)
Drafting at 20 feet - 40.5mpg (+27%)
Drafting at 10 feet - 44.5mpg (+39%)
Drafting at 2 feet - 41.0mpg (+28%)

Bear in mind safe distance at 55mph is 150' or 2 seconds travel time. So unless you have a micro second reaction time (most people is 1 second or 75ft before you even start to brake) , please dont do this.

 

[EVTrukHog]

Mythbusters proved that in order to have any measurable effect from drafting, you would have to have to be dangerously close. Data here;

They achieved the following results -
55mph - no vehicles in front - 32mpg
Drafting @100 feet - 35.5mpg (+10%)
Drafting at 50 feet - 38.5mpg (+20%)
Drafting at 20 feet - 40.5mpg (+27%)
Drafting at 10 feet - 44.5mpg (+39%)
Drafting at 2 feet - 41.0mpg (+28%)

Bear in mind safe distance at 55mph is 150' or 2 seconds travel time. So unless you have a micro second reaction time (most people is 1 second or 75ft before you even start to brake) , please dont do this.

50' = about 2.5 car lengths. On most freeways I drive, if you're more than 2.5 car lengths from the truck in front of you then you're just getting in the way. I'd take this risk for a 20% efficiency boost - when I'm in a bind - without any hesitation. YMMV.

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

50' = about 2.5 car lengths. On most freeways I drive, if you're more than 2.5 car lengths from the truck in front of you then you're just getting in the way. I'd take this risk for a 20% efficiency boost - when I'm in a bind - without any hesitation. YMMV.

I agree that its worth it to not be stranded. I have done it in a bind on a freeway in a Nissan Leaf where I was closer than 50 ft. Just have to pay careful attention and know the traffic patterns well. The Rivian seems to buffet about more when I tried it. @Noplacelikeloam -> Remember that I am following a large vehicle with much longer stopping distances so I have more than 1 second to stop.

 

[srnyoung]

A generator of some sort would be the most cost effective way to carry extra power around with you. Otherwise, swappable batteries are the answer to quick stops with an EV. I keep hoping someday we will standardize battery formats across a wide range of vehicles similar to what Ample is working on.

It's an idea that arrived ahead of its time. A Better Place partnered with Nissan Renault to try it in Israel in the 2000's/2010s. Sadly, they were too early and didn't get the big players on board with standardized batteries early enough. (I can guess what Tesla said when asked...)
When last mile mobility is a utility, this may well be part of the solution.

Edited to correct the car brand that tried it...

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

It's an idea that arrived ahead of its time. A Better Place partnered with Nissan Renault to try it in Israel in the 2000's/2010s. Sadly, they were too early and didn't get the big players on board with standardized batteries early enough. (I can guess what Tesla said when asked...)
When last mile mobility is a utility, this may well be part of the solution.

Edited to correct the car brand that tried it...

They were only 110 years late. NY Electric cabs

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