Fielding Questions on your R1

[Donald Stanfield]

Rivian drivers that I’ve met are pretty friendly. I cannot say the same for other drivers.
Good approach. I sometimes wonder if people want to start a conversation to provide them with a forum to educate us on why EVs are a dumb choice.

I have certainly gotten that impression from more than a few folks. Those are always my favorite conversations because all those people have are inaccurate and easily debunked media sensationalist claims. "I heard they only go about 100 miles before they are dead". Nope, mine goes 300+ on the freeway in conserve mode. " I heard they take hours to charge". This is a much longer rebuttal explaining the difference between home and fast charging.

"Road trips take much longer." Yes, they take longer, but the forced breaks are usually not too long and are welcome for my family. In an ICE car, I'm the kind of guy to drive until my bladder is about to explode, and I'm usually sitting in my seat for a couple of hours wincing because I have to pee or my back is sore and stiff. The Rivian lasts enough miles on a road trip that I want to stretch my legs when I need to charge, and the stop usually isn't much longer than stopping to pee and eat a snack.

I thought road trips would be a big problem in my truck. I wouldn't say I like driving long distances in the car, but the R1 is the most tolerable road trip vehicle I've ever had. It forces me to stop and take breaks I wouldn't otherwise take in the name of speed, and I don't feel like death when I get to where I am going.

When you explain to people how these media "gotcha" issues aren't a thing and the reasons why the people who wanted to convince you EVs are bad either walk away with a new perspective or walk away all mad in a huff, and either way is entertaining for me. The only issue I cannot overcome is when someone tells me they cannot charge at home. Then I ask them to wait on an EV as having to charge somewhere else takes one of the great things about an EV away.

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[BigSkies]

I rarely get questions about it near home. But Rivian’s are the new high-end Subaru’s in my part of Colorado. They’re common now.

However, I ALWAYS get questions about it when I go places that contractors frequent. Whether it’s the lumber yard or the deck supply store, or getting mulch at my city’s annual giveaway.

It’s usually when I have the frunk open to get my ratchet straps out and am standing on the gear tunnel door to tie something down.

The questions are usually highly specific about charging speed and cost. As well as occasional questions about trailers and road tripping.

I think contractors make up a huge population that are EV curious, but are broadly not quite ready to commit.

 

[R1Thor]

I do enjoy these conversations.

My only (current) peeve is there's one person in my life who continuously insists calling my truck a "Cybertruck" even though I've corrected her on multiple occasions. To her electric truck = cyber truck. It's too hard to remember "Rivian" "R1T" since she's never heard of it :/
Though she does admit she likes it 'better' than the look of the actual CT.

 

[KBabione]

My only (current) peeve is there's one person in my life who continuously insists calling my truck a "Cybertruck" even though I've corrected her on multiple occasions.

That would be maddening - especially since she's not being malicious or trying to push your buttons. Start referring to whatever she drives as a minivan - "Everything that's not a Rivian is a minivan to me." Perhaps that will make her understand (unless, of course, she DOES drive a minivan).

 

[R1Thor]

That would be maddening - especially since she's not being malicious or trying to push your buttons. Start referring to whatever she drives as a minivan - "Everything that's not a Rivian is a minivan to me." Perhaps that will make her understand (unless, of course, she DOES drive a minivan).

It's honestly pretty harmless, if not a bit maddening. And if you knew her, you'd understand she isn't meaning anything malicious by it. She's also likely not the type who would care if you called her Honda CRV a minivan, either! We all have our strengths!

 

[SwampNut]

Start referring to whatever she drives as a minivan - "Everything that's not a Rivian is a minivan to me." Perhaps that will make her understand (unless, of course, she DOES drive a minivan).

I use "station wagon" because that seems very triggering to everyone.

I get people asking about the truck all the time, even just stopped at a light. And once, while actually moving along at 45.

 

[Laserboy1054]

My only (current) peeve is there's one person in my life who continuously insists calling my truck a "Cybertruck" even though I've corrected her on multiple occasions. To her electric truck = cyber truck.

This is more generally the case than just trucks: it's a "Kleenex" or "Coke" situation. For many people, the general term for EV is "Tesla." The fact that Tesla is only one of many brands isn't relevant. By dominating the market (not a judgement, just a statement of fact), Tesla has become synonymous with it. We can, and should, correct people. But this sort of labeling happens all the time.

 

[Forest Edge]

I get asked about my Defender a lot more than my Rivian. And sometimes I get asked about both or which one I like better. My answer is always the same. I like the Rivian a lot, but I LOVE my Defender!

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