800v Architecture R3 series

[Florida Panhandler]

if anyone has been paying any attention to the charging situation in China you will know there is an ongoing charging speed war amongst several carmakers in that rapidly evolving country.

IMO Rivian MUST 100% focus on making the R3 platform the first Rivin product using an 800v or more architecture. This could coincide with an R1 and R2 refresh cycle which also would switch to 800v. Just today FAW China unveiled a laboratory battery charging at a ridiculous 3 minutes 40 seconds to 70% charge and >90% in under 6 minutes. This is literally gasoline fueling speed. Already in China giants like BYD have deployed real world charging at 12c or 80% in 6 minutes or so. When the order form for an R3X comes online I will jump regardless but many normies will hesitate if the old EV bugaboo about 80% in 30 minutes is still an issue in 2028 or 2029.

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[Hereforthesnacks]

You’re not going to get a lot of traction in this forum on that. Argument is that it only saves you 10 minutes per charge.

I will agree with you though. When you can charge 20-80 in a legit 15-18 minutes, it means you can plug in, use bathroom, get snack, and go. No waiting 10 minutes in the car afterwards. I live this in my current EV. I think that’s a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[Eric9610]

Rivian has been working on 800v since the R1 launched. The first car to get it will be the updated R1 in MY 2029.

 

[Mos Eisley]

AFAIC - I'd rather the investment be leaning into solid state batteries. Roll out the ~2030 R1's with Solid State and go from there. If current successes are any indication - SSB's may have a real future.

 

[NY_Rob]

AFAIC - I'd rather the investment be leaning into solid state batteries.

Not to worry, Donut's got you covered! Their SS battery is "already being mass produced"...

 

[Mos Eisley]

 

[lefkonj]

you are also leaving out the chargers themselves. Sure a Porsche or Lucid can charge in 18 minutes on a 500KW charger, but how many of them are there. What is the likelihood we see this in mass over the next 4 years?

 

[seanocono]

Rivian has been working on 800v since the R1 launched. The first car to get it will be the updated R1 in MY 2029.

Breaking news?

 

[Eric9610]

Breaking news?

My buddy worked for them as an engineer back in the day and he was working on the 800v pack at the time.

The estimate of when it comes is my guess.

 

[CrazyOne]

I am sure it makes a difference for some people. Not me. It might have saved me an hour over the last 4 years.

 

[Eric9610]

I am sure it makes a difference for some people. Not me. It might have saved me an hour over the last 4 years.

The probelm is the charging network for true 800v capability is extreamly limited and will have no real world impact in the next 5-10 years. Solid State is the next game changer.

 

[CrazyOne]

The probelm is the charging network for true 800v capability is extreamly limited and will have no real world impact in the next 5-10 years. Solid State is the next game changer.

Most CCS chargers are capable of 800v charging. Sustained charge rate at maximum possible amps till 80% helps more. So limit is still thermal. 800v helps, but won't fix it

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

The probelm is the charging network for true 800v capability is extreamly limited and will have no real world impact in the next 5-10 years. Solid State is the next game changer.

In Cali there are plenty of 800V EA and EvGo chargers. And a couple other providers. Definitely not as much as you would want, but enough for road tripping.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

you are also leaving out the chargers themselves. Sure a Porsche or Lucid can charge in 18 minutes on a 500KW charger, but how many of them are there. What is the likelihood we see this in mass over the next 4 years?

Ditto. Too much attention on cells and platform architecture. Charging infrastructure is the third part of equation. 800V and newer cells can only shave 5-10 minutes or so per session under ideal conditions. To truly have the 5-10 minute session times that are starting to roll out in China you’d need the chargers and a grid that can deliver. And without authority of government behind that, not easy to achieve any time soon. Our governing culture can’t even agree on what is fact vs opinion. To get unity in policy on charging/grid standards?! Good luck.

 

[rogunenode]

An R3 will be cheaper and smaller than current Rivians, so likely more appealing to people living in condos or apartments where charging may not be possible. That 5-10 min per session saved adds up if you are doing it often.

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