Battery temp of 15°F now appears to be where Rivian stops aggressively heating the battery

[portdirect]

That battery temp threshold jives with the info from this article...
https://stories.rivian.com/cold-weather-testing

Interesting quote in this:

But the application to the EPA for certification says different (for all model years/generations of R1):

I do see the motors heating up, but as always there's some marketing spin at play on the full story: Rivian does BOTH.

Interestingly I've also never seen the cold battery indicator in our Gen2, but do see it in our Gen1 - when they are parked right next to each other overnight.

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[TTedP]

I get the warning that regen is reduced when battery temp is in the low 30's (or did I interpret your post wrong?)

 

[1stPlace]

I get the warning that regen is reduced when battery temp is in the low 30's (or did I interpret your post wrong?)

There are two main reasons to pre-heat battery: range (if taking power from the wall) and performance (both acceleration and regen deceleration)

I just did a manual climate condition for 20 mins and the battery stayed at 35degF and I lost some range even though I was plugged in, but that is just confirming what is already known. I just now set a scheduled climate for 1pm ET and will report back. I am in all purpose mode (gen 1 quad). If the battery has not changed temperature after this experiment, I will try it again in sport mode.

 

[R1Tom]

This is excellent to know! I have noticed it not heating batteries when it used to for sure.

Mine hasn't dipped low enough to hit that threshold. One of benefits of scheduled charging for 10pm. Typically residual heat from charging when I use truck in am.

 

[beatle]

So I think the question of how to pre-heat for more range is still unsolved at this time.

Best you can really do is just try to time your departure with the end of the charge cycle. Charging the battery is not 100% efficient and some of that energy will be put in as heat. That's not as effective as actually heating the battery directly when you want to raise its temperature, but it's free.

 

[R1Tom]

Best you can really do is just try to time your departure with the end of the charge cycle. Charging the battery is not 100% efficient and some of that energy will be put in as heat. That's not as effective as actually heating the battery directly when you want to raise its temperature, but it's free.

This is why I wish they would do the math and have a charging routine that would trigger charging prior to departure whatever the math says.

If the math says it needs 5 hours to hit target charge level...start 6 hours prior to time of departure.

Free heating like you said!

 

[Greg Chick]

Is there a best practice to tell the truck to pre-warm the battery drawing from the charger?

I want a choice on the charging page to select precondition battery so I can do so manually, at home, before I charge. Then before I go while still plugged in, I can select precondition so to increase my range in below freezing weather.
Is there such a choice now and I am just not geeky enough?

 

[sherold]

Interesting quote in this:

But the application to the EPA for certification says different (for all model years/generations of R1):

I do see the motors heating up, but as always there's some marketing spin at play on the full story: Rivian does BOTH.

Interestingly I've also never seen the cold battery indicator in our Gen2, but do see it in our Gen1 - when they are parked right next to each other overnight.

The "in-line heating element" still could be the inverter/motor. Might just be clever wording on Rivian's part to try and cloak the battery heating method they borrowed from Tesla.

Is your Gen 2 battery the same chemistry as the Gen1 or is it LFP?

 

[André]

At least it's still possible to force it into heating by navigating to a nearby DC charger.

…at the expense of range. They need to implement an option to warm-up to 50F when plug-in while heating the cabin. Otherwise you can’t use the full range for longer drives.

 

[portdirect]

The "in-line heating element" still could be the inverter/motor. Might just be clever wording on Rivian's part to try and cloak the battery heating method they borrowed from Tesla.

Is your Gen 2 battery the same chemistry as the Gen1 or is it LFP?

NMC in both - its a resistive heating element AFAIK - they show it in some videos) if i recall correctly.

 

[sherold]

I want a choice on the charging page to select precondition battery so I can do so manually, at home, before I charge. Then before I go while still plugged in, I can select precondition so to increase my range in below freezing weather.
Is there such a choice now and I am just not geeky enough?

No choice for this now unfortunately but, it should be coming s00n...

What updates and features can owners expect soon?

• Google Cast Integration: Available in the next update (2024.47), it will support over 3,000 apps, including YouTube.
• Text-to-Speech Messaging: A new voice stack will bring this feature by 2025, ensuring a refined user experience.
• Energy App 2.0: A comprehensive update will offer detailed insights into energy usage, charging patterns, and sustainability tips.
• Manual DC Fast Charge Preconditioning: This highly requested feature will arrive in early 2025.
• Tire Size Configuration: Available in Q1 2025, this update lets users adjust tire settings directly.
• Launch Mode: Returning in 2025 with exciting new features for Gen 1 Quad owners.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/rivians-software-and-tech-roadmap-highlights-from-todays-qa/

 

[André]

There are two main reasons to pre-heat battery: range (if taking power from the wall) and performance (both acceleration and regen deceleration)

I just did a manual climate condition for 20 mins and the battery stayed at 35degF and I lost some range even though I was plugged in, but that is just confirming what is already known. I just now set a scheduled climate for 1pm ET and will report back. I am in all purpose mode (gen 1 quad). If the battery has not changed temperature after this experiment, I will try it again in sport mode.

It will warm-up the pack only if the preconditioning of the cabin brings your range below the range set and consequently start to charge. Tesla does precondition the pack automatically and Rivian should too.

 

[1stPlace]

It will warm-up the pack only if the preconditioning of the cabin brings your range below the range set and consequently start to charge. Tesla does precondition the pack automatically and Rivian should too.

I just looked at my car and yes it was heating the battery. My car was at 69%, charging set to 70% during evening hours but it still took power from the wall in the experiment.

So in the end, the current answer to the problem is the car must be plugged in, climate conditioning must be scheduled, and if car is already at set charge, increase the charge %.

 

[DAJA]

I do not believe it is helpful to pre-heat for range unless the energy is coming from your level 2 charger, and navigation does not appear to pre-condition the battery if you are still plugged in--I just checked. If you are not getting more energy from the wall, then you are better off just driving to heat the battery.

So I think the question of how to pre-heat for more range is still unsolved at this time.

I think the battery temp can make somewhat of a difference in range. In cold weather, I get 1.3 mi/Kw if battery is 35F, but get 1.8 to 1.9 mi/kW if the battery is warmer (45F +)

 

[André]

I just looked at my car and yes it was heating the battery. My car was at 69%, charging set to 70% during evening hours but it still took power from the wall in the experiment.

So in the end, the current answer to the problem is the car must be plugged in, climate conditioning must be scheduled, and if car is already at set charge, increase the charge %.

Which doesn’t make sense. It should warm-up the pack automatically when pre-conditioning the cabin if the car in plugged-in as my 4 years old Model Y does not matter what is the range set.

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