Very specific range question - Gen2 R1T Winter Highway (70-75 mph)

[SWMI to STL]

Hi all - new to the forum! I'm in evaluation mode, but was absolutely floored by the Forest Edge interior. It's lovely! So here's my situation. I travel roughly 380 miles per week, from Southwest Michigan to St. Louis. The good news is, the charging infrastructure is pretty solid along this route. I've tried to do a bunch of research around winter highway range, specifically in this part of the country. The vehicle I'm interested in is the R1T. Dual Motor, Max Battery. I know I won't be able to make the drive in 1 shot, but my hope was I'd be able to do it with no longer than a 15 minute charging stop. On the absolute worst winter days, I'd be open to bumping that to about 20 minutes stop. I don't need to be able to charge from 10-80%... just enough to make it to my destination. Assume I'd have level 2 chargers in both STL and SWMI. AI is telling me, as is this forum, that the efficiency numbers can be anywhere between 1.3-1.9 in winter. What I'm curious about is whether those figures are the Gen1 numbers, or the Gen2 numbers. Any Gen 2 owners who owned last winter in the north have real-world efficiency numbers on the highway (70-75mph)? My assumption is the heat pump should help. Also, I would be pre-conditioning before leaving on each leg, and of course would pre-condition to the charger along the way. Appreciate the help! I'm also considering the BMW ix3 and Volvo EX60, but I love the look and styling of the R1T, and it also opens up some interesting camping options.

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[Andystroh]

Maybe someone with really good data will chime in, but in my real world experience, I’d say plan on a 35 -45 minute charge stop. Not because of any one reason, but because it depends on battery conditioning, road conditions, speed, exactly where along the drive the chargers are available.

Sometimes the charge stop is earlier in the drive than ideal, so it charges slower. Sometimes the battery hasn’t warmed up if it’s very cold out, it charges slower. Sometimes the charger is slower because of god knows why.

Not trying to deter you, but before I got mine I planned out all these trips- 15 minute stop here, 20 minute stop here, etc. and the reality is it just often takes longer for one reason or another. I honestly don’t mind and try to pick chargers that have a coffee shop or something nearby, but I also don’t have to do it for work every week. I typically have a toddler with my who takes more time than stopping anyway.

I’m not sure the story would be different for the other EVs you’re considering, but this is my experience with an R1T. If a 30 minute charge stop is too long in winter you probably don’t want to DCFC every week.

 

[usulio]

The highway efficiency is very similar for every model of R1 (if using Conserve on Tri/Quad). The biggest variable is choice of tire. Well, and aerodynamic disruptive mods (roof box etc).

If you are preconditioned and have efficient tires, at only 70-75 mph (not 80-85), I would expect at least 2.3-2.4 mi/kWh in the summer and at least 1.8-2.2 mi/kWh in winter. Just based on lots of reports and discussion on this forum.

 

[SWMI to STL]

The highway efficiency is very similar for every model of R1 (if using Conserve on Tri/Quad). The biggest variable is choice of tire. Well, and aerodynamic disruptive mods (roof box etc).

If you are preconditioned and have efficient tires, at only 70-75 mph (not 80-85), I would expect at least 2.3-2.4 mi/kWh in the summer and at least 1.8-2.2 mi/kWh in winter. Just based on lots of reports and discussion on this forum.

1.8-2.2 is better than I thought. In worst winter days, we can get into the single digits from a temp perspective, as well as some fierce headwinds. Thankfully, not much elevation change. Like I said, it does seem like there are several good chargers along the way so I think I'd be able to optimize at a low SOC - but not too low. I.E. - there are several chargers in Effingham, IL - but I can stop earlier in Arcola, IL and still get 300KW charging (not a ton of stalls, but I also don't foresee a lot of people using them either).

 

[smashweights]

I averaged 1.7-1.9 mi/kWh in my 22 Quad with 20" all terrains last winter with a mostly freeway commute about 25 miles. So you should do slightly better in a dual. I would expect you'll make one charge stop for 15-30 minutes halfway on that trip regardless of what time of year it is depending on your start charge and assuming you have ready access to L2 charging whole parked at both ends you shouldn't need to overshoot much. A rough 30% range loss in winter is expected with NCA/NCM batteries.

Even with better summer efficiency 380 mile trip will be pushing it so you'll probably end up with a short 5-10 min stop in the summer, which is about the time it'll take you to use the restroom anyway.

 

[usulio]

1.8-2.2 is better than I thought. In worst winter days, we can get into the single digits from a temp perspective, as well as some fierce headwinds. Thankfully, not much elevation change. Like I said, it does seem like there are several good chargers along the way so I think I'd be able to optimize at a low SOC - but not too low. I.E. - there are several chargers in Effingham, IL - but I can stop earlier in Arcola, IL and still get 300KW charging (not a ton of stalls, but I also don't foresee a lot of people using them either).

Yeah if you get single digits and fierce headwinds then no guarantees. At say 70mph with 20mph headwind, under 1.5 mi/kWh is definitely possible

 

[mclark2112]

I was definitely 30% lower range at best under 30f degrees.

I drove my R1s quad 90 miles a day, half at 75mph.

 

[motobell]

not to hijack the thread, since I am new here and I'm confused by all the YouTube reviewers, like, out of spec, saying you will never get anywhere close to the posted EPA ranges on mileage. I am wondering what is a realistic expectation for a large versus max, assuming it's 22-inch wheels with street tires. assuming it's fair weather like in California, and mostly flat... Despite watching and reading a lot of reviews and tests, I am unable to answer if the Max is worth it over the Large.

I don't have EV ownership experience, but I have experienced driving borrowed EVs. Teslas that give me range anxiety because the range drops very quickly in some spirited driving. On the flip side, last week I had a Porsche Macan EV as a loaner, and I was blown away not just because of the amazing road-handling manners but because how the range actually exceeded the projection

 

[ElGuano]

I travel roughly 380 miles per week, from Southwest Michigan to St. Louis. The good news is, the charging infrastructure is pretty solid along this route. I've tried to do a bunch of research around winter highway range, specifically in this part of the country. The vehicle I'm interested in is the R1T. Dual Motor, Max Battery. I know I won't be able to make the drive in 1 shot, but my hope was I'd be able to do it with no longer than a 15 minute charging stop.

Is this one-way, or is it 190 miles there, full charge, and 190 back? Kalamazoo to St. Louis is 200mi as the crow flies, so this is pretty important.

Can you do 200 miles in one shot on a max pack in the cold? Yes, that's realistic esp. if you throw in a strategic 15-20min charge.

Can you eke out 380 of the 420 mile Conserve rated range in the real world, in the cold, with a 15 minute charge? From what I've seen, I honestly doubt that's going to be realistic, I think you would need to make extreme sacrifices for your mi/kwh, like going 50mph for the entire trip...I think you should really re-think your regular commute plan with an R1T.

 

[SWMI to STL]

Is this one-way, or is it 190 miles there, full charge, and 190 back? Kalamazoo to St. Louis is 200mi as the crow flies, so this is pretty important.

Can you do 200 miles in one shot on a max pack in the cold? Yes, that's realistic esp. if you throw in a strategic 15-20min charge.

Can you eke out 380 of the 420 mile Conserve rated range in the real world, in the cold, with a 15 minute charge? From what I've seen, I honestly doubt that's going to be realistic, I think you would need to make extreme sacrifices for your mi/kwh, like going 50mph for the entire trip...I think you should really re-think your regular commute plan with an R1T.

It's roughly 380 miles one-way. Again, I know I will need to stop. My concern is for how long. 15-20 is manageable, but 30-40 is not. If I multiply 1.9 quoted above by 140, I can get about 266 miles, meaning I'd have to add a bit under 120 usable miles at my charging stop. Here's the Gemini summary; but AI isn't the expert, actual owners are:

• The Drive (235 miles): Because you started with a perfectly warmed battery and cabin, you save roughly 4–6 kWh of "thermal overhead" right out of the gate. Rolling down I-57 South to Effingham, you will use roughly 112 kWh, allowing you to pull into the charger at a beautifully low 17% SOC.
• The Curve Maximize: 17% is the absolute goldilocks zone for the Rivian Max Pack. The truck will immediately ramp to its absolute maximum peak of 215–220 kW.
• The Short Final Leg: Effingham is only about 136 miles from your destination in St. Louis. To cover that distance and still arrive home with your strict 15% winter safety buffer, you only need to charge the truck up to 68% SOC.
• The Stop Time: Because you are pulling maximum power at the bottom of the battery pack and unplugging before the charging speed even thinks about tapering down, you are getting those 71 kWh back in exactly 15 minutes.

 

[ElGuano]

It's roughly 380 miles one-way. Again, I know I will need to stop. My concern is for how long. 15-20 is manageable, but 30-40 is not.

380 one way...man that's a haul.

Have you seen the various range tests? This one is R1T Gen2 max pack aero wheels, in the winter.


The video is a painful slog to sit through, but if you jump to the end of the test, you can see how far they go. Tl;dr: The result was something like 267 miles total, 1.89kwh/mi. And that was 100% to 0%, until dead dead.

Assuming you are not timing your trip for the truck to die as you roll up to an L3 charger, a realistic 90% to 15% run is like, 200 miles, then charge however long it takes back to 90% (an hour?), and then arrive at your destination with ~20-25% charge remaining.

An even better plan is to stop a few times and charge up for 20 minutes a session, so you can benefit from steepest charging curve. And doing that isn't playing chicken with reality by assuming you're always going to hit some kind of consistent mi/kwh. TBH, I drive conservatively, and I cannot predict at all why sometimes I'm getting <2mi/kwh and sometimes it's close to 4.

 

[SWMI to STL]

380 one way...man that's a haul.

Have you seen the various range tests? This one is R1T Gen2 max pack aero wheels, in the winter.


The video is a painful slog to sit through, but if you jump to the end of the test, you can see how far they go. Tl;dr: The result was something like 267 miles total, 1.89kwh/mi. And that was 100% to 0%, until dead dead.

Assuming you are not timing your trip for the truck to die as you roll up to an L3 charger, a realistic 90% to 15% run is like, 200 miles, then charge however long it takes back to 90% (an hour?), and then arrive at your destination with ~20-25% charge remaining.

An even better plan is to stop a few times and charge up for 20 minutes a session, so you can benefit from steepest charging curve. And doing that isn't playing chicken with reality by assuming you're always going to hit some kind of consistent mi/kwh. TBH, I drive conservatively, and I cannot predict at all why sometimes I'm getting <2mi/kwh and sometimes it's close to 4.

I had not seen this video, and it's super helpful. Yeah, as much as I love the R1T, I think it just won't work. Really appreciate you sharing this, it was exactly what I needed to come to this decision. The ix3 or EX60 will be the better choice for this particular run. More efficient, and faster charging. Thanks a bunch!

 

[motobell]

I had not seen this video, and it's super helpful. Yeah, as much as I love the R1T, I think it just won't work. Really appreciate you sharing this, it was exactly what I needed to come to this decision. The ix3 or EX60 will be the better choice for this particular run. More efficient, and faster charging. Thanks a bunch!

if you are considering iX3 or EX60.. check put the Macan EV too.. there claimed EPA range on base Macan is 332 miles and I drove without worrying about range - mix of city and freeway and some spirited driving - saw 270 miles with 18% left on battery - it is the first EV (besides the taycan) that I have driven that is better than its ICE counterpart. how a Porsche should drive.

 

[motobell]

380 one way...man that's a haul.

Have you seen the various range tests? This one is R1T Gen2 max pack aero wheels, in the winter.


The video is a painful slog to sit through, but if you jump to the end of the test, you can see how far they go. Tl;dr: The result was something like 267 miles total, 1.89kwh/mi. And that was 100% to 0%, until dead dead.

Assuming you are not timing your trip for the truck to die as you roll up to an L3 charger, a realistic 90% to 15% run is like, 200 miles, then charge however long it takes back to 90% (an hour?), and then arrive at your destination with ~20-25% charge remaining.

An even better plan is to stop a few times and charge up for 20 minutes a session, so you can benefit from steepest charging curve. And doing that isn't playing chicken with reality by assuming you're always going to hit some kind of consistent mi/kwh. TBH, I drive conservatively, and I cannot predict at all why sometimes I'm getting <2mi/kwh and sometimes it's close to 4.

How is it that rivian community not up in arms about this kind of disparity in claimed range and real world performance? especially when you pay extra $7k for it... this was one of the videos that made me uncomfortable in my decision ..... wy I asked what is real world road tripping range people get with large vs max?

 

[ElGuano]

How is it that rivian community not up in arms about this kind of disparity in claimed range and real world performance?

It's all asked and answered by now. There was a lot of talk when Max pack was first released, and also Gen2. Rivian was originally planning ~180kwh for max pack but that didn't pan out. Same with Cybertruck BTW.

And over the last decade, people have figured out the EPA cycle and range estimates differ with EVs and ICE. EVs are incredibly efficient, but that means anything (fan/climate, accessories, altitude, speed, idle) has a disproportionately large impact on the best-case numbers.

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