Any info on gas/extended range in the future??

[MStillman]

Rivian is clearly a pure EV company, that should be immediately self-evident if you watch any of the press interviews with RJ. The company has no ties or roots with the internal combustion engine. Look elsewhere if you are not ready to cut the gas hose. That said, there are people who have already proven off pavement adventures are possible with the Rivian. So what you need to ask yourself is why couldn't you?

I've already asked myself the question. It just doesn't work for me pursuing what I want to do. I'm not about to add sometimes up to 4-5 hours on a road trip rerouting for chargers. On fishing trips through Wyoming that has too many dead spots to feasibly take an EV. For my daily driver, I wouldn't trade my R1T for anything out there. But it's silly to have to keep my 4Runner just for these adventures.

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[MStillman]

We're a solid state battery away from never needing the range extender anyhow. If you can't swing it with the R1T, maybe try the Scout.... but even the Scout will probably discontinue the range extender with solid state.

We're using NCM batteries with 270 wh/kg battery density right now. Solid state are around 500 wh/kg density. Imagine the 131 kWh battery becoming a 260 kWh battery with the same weight.

If a 800v Rivian with 700 miles of range that could be charged in 30 minutes existed.... would you care about that stinky gas engine still?

I would not care! However I'm looking at what direction for my next vehicle in 2-3 years. There lies the problem.

 

[DeafPug]

I see a few options possible here.

• I do like the thought of a gas generator that was mentioned as something that could be done now to extend range off-grid for EV trucks. It's not something I need or would purchase, but for some corner cases, it's an option. When it's not recharging your truck on an off-grid trip, it could power your home during a power outage.
• Sometime in the first half of 2025, the Dodge Ramcharger (serial plug-in hybrid with 92 kWh battery pack and 130 kW generator) is supposed to be taking orders with first sales happening sometime in 2025 or 2026.
• There's also the plug-in hybrid version of the upcoming Scout vehicles coming in 2027 if they can make it to market.

That or just keep a gas vehicle for these off-grid trips that "can't" be done with an EV and buy an EV as your daily driver.

 

[emoore]

I would not care! However I'm looking at what direction for my next vehicle in 2-3 years. There lies the problem.

Doubt any company will have an EREV out in 2-3 years. Maybe 4 or 5 and hopefully longer range solid state battery EVs will start coming out by then.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Doubt any company will have an EREV out in 2-3 years. Maybe 4 or 5 and hopefully longer range solid state battery EVs will start coming out by then.

I'd wager EREVs will reach market sooner than solid state batteries. There's nothing revolutionary about EREVs. It's not new technology. It's two parts of existing tech combined. And, it allows OEMs to spend less on costly battery sells, repurpose existing production ICE and chassis/packaging. It's a much shorter path to market than a new ground-up pure EV. Right now there are only two major players talking up Solid State. One is now under tariff AND sanctions (CATL). The other is a BEV laggard who has talked a lot but shown little in terms of tangible action (Toyota).

 

[McLovin]

That or just keep a gas vehicle for these off-grid trips that "can't" be done with an EV and buy an EV as your daily driver.

This seems like the best option to me. Grab an older Toyota with 300k miles on it. At that point, it’s just starting to get broken in…

Kidding aside, my R1T is my first EV of any kind, and have no plans on going back. My mother has an A5 PHEV which I’ve been driving the last few weeks, and it’s …meh. 36 miles on full charge. Gets me home from work, but I either have to charge it again at home, or use the ICE to get back to work…and charge again. Seems like I’m always charging.

With my R1T, I can charge to 80-85% at work on Monday, and I’m good until Friday, when I charge again to 80-85%. I’ve done a few 400+ mile trips, and you do need to plan, but unless needed, we’re taking my wife’s A5 Cab.

 

[BigSkies]

I've already asked myself the question. It just doesn't work for me pursuing what I want to do. I'm not about to add sometimes up to 4-5 hours on a road trip rerouting for chargers. On fishing trips through Wyoming that has too many dead spots to feasibly take an EV. For my daily driver, I wouldn't trade my R1T for anything out there. But it's silly to have to keep my 4Runner just for these adventures.

One recommendation is to contact decision makers in the places you want to go that don't have good charging.

I've personally reached out to the Wyoming tourism board as well as the South Dakota tourism commissioner. These are places we all want to visit, but are difficult in an EV. Usually because of state-specific policies.

I've had similar challenges with Wyoming, but have made the decision to keep trips in places that have invested in charging infrastructure. I'll stick with Colorado and Utah until Wyoming gets their act together.

Wyoming didn't give me much of a response, but I got a nice personal note from the South Dakota tourism commissioner. He asked if he could use my email in his discussions with state lawmakers. It might make a small bit of difference.

This won't solve your immediate problem, but extra voices pointed at the people making infrastructure decisions can make a big difference for future DCFC infrastructure.

 

[mkg3]

My thinking has evolved over the years on EV vs ICE (all variants of hybrids included).

I used to be "never gonna buy another ICE - EVs only for me".

With all the delays of new model introductions, inconsistent DCFC infrastructure and various use cases, I now believe the right answer is "it depends on the use"

It's sort of similar to using an RV or motorhome to do everything. Once can do it but why?

Some needs are better served by ICE vehicles, some are better with EVs, such as:
Daily driver/commuter = EV
Towing = ICE

If one only has a single vehicle, then the choice is harder. If one can have multiple vehicles, then right choice for the right job makes sense.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I'd be shocked if Rivian adds that option based on its mission and everything RJ has said up till now.

This is my interpretation as well. A series hybrid is not on the roadmap for Rivian and since they have partnered with VW on the Scout brand (who plans to produce a series hybrid) I seriously doubt...they would do this.

If they did, I would expect a smaller battery...at least in R1S to account for the added weight of an ICE and fuel tank.

IMO the only thing the series hybrid vehicles are good for is convenience on road trips (and with good charging options on your route that really isn't an issue with a pure BEV).

The big thing these series hybrid vehicles do that I am a big fan of on trucks is to enable long distance towing with less stress.

RAM is coming with the RAM charger and I think they will do well with it. It has a decent size battery for daily use in pure EV mode. But you always have the option of the gas generator for road trips and when your towing.

The other route is a very large battery like I have in our Silverado EV. How much of a difference does it make? Well, with 205 kWh usable vs the 131 kWh in my gen 1 large R1S its 2 stops to charge on the way to Hilton Head vs 5 stops in the R1S while towing our travel trailer. Having to only stop twice in 600 miles puts it on par towing wise with an ICE (unless your talking about the HD diesels with 40+ gallon tanks).

I think ultimately series hybrids are going to be the 1st step but aren't the long term solution. The long term is advanced battery tech and more available charging options.

 

[Jonger1150]

I'd wager EREVs will reach market sooner than solid state batteries. There's nothing revolutionary about EREVs. It's not new technology. It's two parts of existing tech combined. And, it allows OEMs to spend less on costly battery sells, repurpose existing production ICE and chassis/packaging. It's a much shorter path to market than a new ground-up pure EV. Right now there are only two major players talking up Solid State. One is now under tariff AND sanctions (CATL). The other is a BEV laggard who has talked a lot but shown little in terms of tangible action (Toyota).

The EREV versions are all nerfed BEVs. The Scout Harvester is going to be substantially weaker with the ER generator. I doubt many people even plug them in. Without plugging it in, you're looking at another 18 mpg truck.

 

[Jonger1150]

My thinking has evolved over the years on EV vs ICE (all variants of hybrids included).

I used to be "never gonna buy another ICE - EVs only for me".

With all the delays of new model introductions, inconsistent DCFC infrastructure and various use cases, I now believe the right answer is "it depends on the use"

It's sort of similar to using an RV or motorhome to do everything. Once can do it but why?

Some needs are better served by ICE vehicles, some are better with EVs, such as:
Daily driver/commuter = EV
Towing = ICE

If one only has a single vehicle, then the choice is harder. If one can have multiple vehicles, then right choice for the right job makes sense.

I guess it depends on what the ratio of towing is to daily driving. You can rent just about anything on Turo for that 3 weekend per year use that most people prepare for.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The EREV versions are all nerfed BEVs. The Scout Harvester is going to be substantially weaker with the ER generator. I doubt many people even plug them in. Without plugging it in, you're looking at another 18 mpg truck.

How do you know this when they haven't even announced battery size or which gasoline engine?

 

[emoore]

How do you know this when they haven't even announced battery size or which gasoline engine?

I thought I saw something about 150 mile range and a VW 4 cylinder.

 

[Jonger1150]

How do you know this when they haven't even announced battery size or which gasoline engine?

Head over to the Scout version of this website. The BEV version is 350 miles with a 3.5 0-60. The EREV is 500 miles with 150 electric range and a 4.7 sec 0-60 from what most inside voices are saying.

Maybe accurate, maybe not.

 

[MStillman]

Doubt any company will have an EREV out in 2-3 years. Maybe 4 or 5 and hopefully longer range solid state battery EVs will start coming out by then.

They are already out. I have a deposit on a Scout Traveler EREV.

The EREV versions are all nerfed BEVs. The Scout Harvester is going to be substantially weaker with the ER generator. I doubt many people even plug them in. Without plugging it in, you're looking at another 18 mpg truck.

the Scout is still completely run by the battery. The engine is only used to charge the battery. No difference in performance. The whole system will get 150 miles on battery alone, plus 350 with the engine charging for a total of 500 mikes without stopping. I don’t see any other vehicles with those capabilities on a rugged truck or SUV.

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