Efficiency

[rushidesai]

I've had my R1S for 12 days. Most days I've only driven short distances -- 2-3 mile trips and my efficiency numbers look abysmal -- around 1.7-1.9 mi/kWH. On some longer drives it hovers in the 2-2.2 range. This is in the Bay Area which currently has moderate weather (44-64F) in All-Purpose mode, Standard ride height, Soft suspension, Standard regen.

The best I managed (during a 10 mile trip) in 68F weather with climate control off driving 60mph in conserve mode was in the 2.8-3 mi/kWh range.

Today, I tried barely got 2mi/kWh cruising in conserve mode on the freeway at 65-70mph with climate control set to 70F and outside temperate around 60-62F.

I really haven't figured out what is impacting range so much. The difference between 2, 2.4 and 3 mi/kWH is huge. I have no idea how someone could get 2.38mi/kWh in All-Purpose mode, which is what would be needed to get the EPA range (321 miles with 135kWH battery).

What has your experience been?

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[elektrode]

Sounds pretty normal. I have 8k miles and my lifetime trip meter measured 6.7k at 1.9mi/kWh. 21” “earth day efficient” tires.

Everyone in the forum is more efficient than me.

But like you, I make mostly short trips and can observe on the “deficiency meter” (efficiency) that by the time my battery is warm an optimized, I’m pulling into my destination and putting the truck in park.

FWIW I got 3.0mi/kWh ONCE descending 4,000ft down a mountain. If you hit that under any other circumstances, you’re pretty much a super hero. LOL.

 

[brancky3]

I really haven't figured out what is impacting range so much. The difference between 2, 2.4 and 3 mi/kWH is huge. I have no idea how someone could get 2.38mi/kWh in All-Purpose mode, which is what would be needed to get the EPA range (321 miles with 135kWH battery).

What has your experience been?

For me it's super weather-dependent. I commute to work 15 miles each way twice a week. In the mornings (40-50F) I normally get around ~1.8-2.0 mi/kWh but on the way home (70-85F) I can get ~2.5 mi/kWh fairly easily. I've noticed it takes a while to get the vehicle 'warmed up' in the mornings and there's nothing I can do to get better efficiency. I've never been close to 3 mi/kWh... I think my lifetime is around 2.1 at this point (~4.5 months of owning the truck)

 

[computertom]

The reality is, these trucks are just not *that* efficient. Super fun, capable, and comfortable? Sure! Fast? Yup! Are they more efficient than a TRX? Oh heck yeah! More efficient that some or or all other BEVs? That would be a no. They’re still 7k lb brick shaped super trucks with a good, but maybe not the most efficient battery design.

I find mine’s most efficient when warm or just off the charger and I’m going on a nice long driver+ drive. I don’t do that very often though. So I don’t get those crazy high efficiency numbers either. I also got the 20’s, so I was doomed from tue start…

 

[DB-EV]

I've had my R1S for 12 days. Most days I've only driven short distances -- 2-3 mile trips and my efficiency numbers look abysmal -- around 1.7-1.9 mi/kWH. On some longer drives it hovers in the 2-2.2 range. This is in the Bay Area which currently has moderate weather (44-64F) in All-Purpose mode, Standard ride height, Soft suspension, Standard regen.

The best I managed (during a 10 mile trip) in 68F weather with climate control off driving 60mph in conserve mode was in the 2.8-3 mi/kWh range.

Today, I tried barely got 2mi/kWh cruising in conserve mode on the freeway at 65-70mph with climate control set to 70F and outside temperate around 60-62F.

I really haven't figured out what is impacting range so much. The difference between 2, 2.4 and 3 mi/kWH is huge. I have no idea how someone could get 2.38mi/kWh in All-Purpose mode, which is what would be needed to get the EPA range (321 miles with 135kWH battery).

What has your experience been?

Short trips are WAY less efficient.

I am on snow tires and in conserve in cold temps at HWY I get around 1.9-2 miles per KW which is pretty good.

Warmer temp but not too hot I will get the stated range of 305 or so on AT at 100 percent not driving above 70 if there is some stop and go (which is more efficient).

Going up to mountains it is less. Coming down it is more.

 

[Trandall]

@rushidesai, I take it you are on the 21" wheels?
Your efficiency sounds similar to mine which I believe to be 100% normal.
how you would achieve 2.38KW/mile from 100%-0 is by performing the EPA test cycle and applying the correction factor that Rivian uses, not sure if Rivian uses the optional EPA 5 cyle test or not. Your unique conditions would be a big coincidence if they happened to match the EPA #'s, mostly you will be lower by 5-30% and as much as 50% if towing.
My recommendation is provided your R1S effectively meets your mobility needs just enjoy the capabilities and pay little attention to the efficiency or lack thereof.
Personally I have used conserve mode two times in 20K+ miles as a tool get me the extra bit of range I needed to bypass a fast charge stop. Other than that I am in all purpose >90% of the time and all other modes make up <10% of my driving.

 

[uthatch]

I just clobbered my efficiency on a road trip from LA to Austin. I ran the truck at 80-85mph for large spans and into a very strong headwind. I also have 1000+ pounds loaded in the bed and throughout the truck. The two motorcycles slightly protrude above the roof of the truck, likely further hitting the efficiency. My only positive was that it was hot out, 85-100F most of the way.

My worst 100+ mile run was at 1.41 m/kWh. That's pretty bad, but for the circumstances, I didn't think it was horrible. I logged the overall efficiency and each leg and can post them later. My best was right at 2.0, still rolling 70-75mph in very hilly terrain.

Of note, hilly terrain is less efficient than steady, smooth ground, even with regen.

 

[mkg3]

I've had my R1S for 12 days. Most days I've only driven short distances -- 2-3 mile trips and my efficiency numbers look abysmal -- around 1.7-1.9 mi/kWH. On some longer drives it hovers in the 2-2.2 range...

The reason the short trips have worse efficiencies is due to battery temperature. Just like ICE, the things operate better once it reaches normal operating temperature.

As batteries discharge, it heats up and at their normal operating temperature, as well as the entire drive train, efficiencies increases.

Some EVs (e.g., Tesla) preconditions the batteries if you leave at the same time everyday. It assumes you leave at the same time so it wakes up earlier and does its thing. Other EVs probably do the same - don't know about Rivian,

Since it reaches normal operating temperature relatively quickly, I wouldn't worry about it much but if you are only driving 2~3 mile trips, you won.t get there...

 

[zefram47]

R1T, not S, but I managed 3.2 mi/kWh on 20s yesterday over 21 miles, but the roundtrip was 2.4 mi/kWh. Outbound I was just running the ventilated seat and fan with temperature control off (around 70F outside) and the return trip I had the windows open, fan off, ventilated seat on. But I also have to climb a few hundred feet back home and there may have been a tailwind on the outbound leg. Still, short of coming down a canyon road that's the best efficiency I've seen yet. But over the 800 miles I've had the truck (some cold weather still here in CO) I've averaged 1.9 mi/kWh according to one of my trip computers.

 

[cjones1130]

I've had my R1S for 12 days. Most days I've only driven short distances -- 2-3 mile trips and my efficiency numbers look abysmal -- around 1.7-1.9 mi/kWH. On some longer drives it hovers in the 2-2.2 range. This is in the Bay Area which currently has moderate weather (44-64F) in All-Purpose mode, Standard ride height, Soft suspension, Standard regen.

The best I managed (during a 10 mile trip) in 68F weather with climate control off driving 60mph in conserve mode was in the 2.8-3 mi/kWh range.

Today, I tried barely got 2mi/kWh cruising in conserve mode on the freeway at 65-70mph with climate control set to 70F and outside temperate around 60-62F.

I really haven't figured out what is impacting range so much. The difference between 2, 2.4 and 3 mi/kWH is huge. I have no idea how someone could get 2.38mi/kWh in All-Purpose mode, which is what would be needed to get the EPA range (321 miles with 135kWH battery).

What has your experience been?

Short trips (b/c of the battery using energy to warm itself) and cold weather kill efficiency. I think 2.4ish in good weather should be your expectation and if you are getting better than that, bonus points.

 

[BrianNakata]

If you're after efficiency, then high regen and a smooth driving style that avoids the friction brakes is required.

Even so, as others have said, this isn't a very efficient vehicle.

Your experience pretty much mirrors what I'm getting in everyday driving with my T.

I guess the difference is that I could care less since it's a considerable upgrade in every way from the vehicle it replaced (2001 F-150 Lightning) and I really like having the ability to do L2 charging at home that's far cheaper than DCFC.

 

[evguy]

Sounds typical to me. My R1S on 20's has averaged about 1.9 mi/kWh over 8,000 miles. As EVs go, the R1 is one of the least efficient. By contrast, my Model 3 gets around 3.7 mi/kWh.

 

[Ngkgb]

I really think a cold battery and their inefficient HVAC system play a huge role. On my 9 mile commute where I usually get 1.5 mi/kwh I just got 2.17. Just unplugged from charger and kept HVAC off. Driving up to 80 on the freeway.

Edit: spelling

 

[Zoidz]

EPA range is over a prescribed course with a defined driving style, speed, etc. Your short trips are not part of that EPA scenario. You will never get EPA range driving short trips, unless it is downhill both ways.

 

[cbrcanuck]

I've had my R1S for 12 days. Most days I've only driven short distances -- 2-3 mile trips and my efficiency numbers look abysmal -- around 1.7-1.9 mi/kWH. On some longer drives it hovers in the 2-2.2 range. This is in the Bay Area which currently has moderate weather (44-64F) in All-Purpose mode, Standard ride height, Soft suspension, Standard regen.

The best I managed (during a 10 mile trip) in 68F weather with climate control off driving 60mph in conserve mode was in the 2.8-3 mi/kWh range.

Today, I tried barely got 2mi/kWh cruising in conserve mode on the freeway at 65-70mph with climate control set to 70F and outside temperate around 60-62F.

I really haven't figured out what is impacting range so much. The difference between 2, 2.4 and 3 mi/kWH is huge. I have no idea how someone could get 2.38mi/kWh in All-Purpose mode, which is what would be needed to get the EPA range (321 miles with 135kWH battery).

What has your experience been?

I've only had my R1T for a couple of weeks now, and have been playing with a lot of different settings. My general observations so far:
- short trips = very low efficiency
- I haven't measured it, but I believe there is a significant difference between All Purpose standard and low, I'm going to leave it in low
- I have the 21"s. Going to take the aero covers off for most of the time, but leave them on for longer days
- The heater is a big draw. Avoid when possible (even just a low fan setting with no heat/AC seems ok)
- Fast acceleration makes for a big energy hit - I'll be driving with a soft touch

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