Lightning Owner with R1S on order

[MM in South TX]

Howdy. First post here. I have been driving a Lightning Lariat for 7 months and 7,000 miles, and I absolutely love it.

That said, I am thinking about trading to an R1S. I have an "old pricing" R1S scheduled for delivery Q1 2024. Quad motor, minimal add-ons, $77,000. I do not qualify for a tax rebate.

The main reason to trade from Lightning to R1S would be range. With the extended range battery on the Lightning, I still can only go about 200 miles at 75 on the open road. So what can I expect from the R1S? Please answer in real-world mi/kWH numbers on the open road--with zero traffic breaking the wind for you. If you travel on a busy interstate, your mi/kWH might be 20% higher than what I get. Tell me the worst you have gotten because that will be me, driving home against a 20mph headwind.

The other factor is of course the R1S's battery and motor configuration. Can I change battery/motor configurations and still get the early pricing?

I need to get about 250 miles between home and destination in order to consider the trade worthwhile.

Thanks in advance.

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[Joe schmoe]

Howdy. First post here. I have been driving a Lightning Lariat for 7 months and 7,000 miles, and I absolutely love it.

That said, I am thinking about trading to an R1S. I have an "old pricing" R1S scheduled for delivery Q1 2024. Quad motor, minimal add-ons, $77,000. I do not qualify for a tax rebate.

The main reason to trade from Lightning to R1S would be range. With the extended range battery on the Lightning, I still can only go about 200 miles at 75 on the open road. So what can I expect from the R1S? Please answer in real-world mi/kWH numbers on the open road--with zero traffic breaking the wind for you. If you travel on a busy interstate, your mi/kWH might be 20% higher than what I get. Tell me the worst you have gotten because that will be me, driving home against a 20mph headwind.

The other factor is of course the R1S's battery and motor configuration. Can I change battery/motor configurations and still get the early pricing?

I need to get about 250 miles between home and destination in order to consider the trade worthwhile.

Thanks in advance.

I have an R1S on 20" AT wheels (the lowest range of any wheel/tire combo)

The longest leg I've made is 258 miles, with a moderate load and against a 10-15 mph headwind. There was not a lot of terrain, but some rolling hills (Memphis to just south of Birmingham, AL on the I-22 corridor). I arrived with about 10% charge.

Because of the winds, I stayed at 68-70 for most of the trip, and the last 10-15 miles was in very heavy stop and go traffic. Temps were in the low 60s, and the battery was basically brand new so no degredation.

I think on 21s that 200 miles on the highway is very doable, although there may be edge cases (high winds, range, very cold) where you'll have to stop somewhere.

One thing to consider is the recent Ford/Tesla agreement to open up superchargers--In most of the country this completely eliminates range anxiety for the Lightning. That 258 mile gap was necessary because there are no other options on the route faster than 60kw between EA chargers. Also, the EA station at the south end of the route has had both of the "350kw" cabinets non-functional since at least March (they are still down as I write this three months later) and the EA station in Memphis has been completeley dead, with zero functioning chargers, since Memorial Day, weeks ago.

Right now, that route isn't possible for a Rivian or any other non-Tesla EV without hours on a slow charger.

There are three superchargers in or adjacent to Memphis, and you're never more than about 40 miles from one at any point on that route in a Tesla.

 

[janesbenth1]

I have an R1S on 20" AT wheels (the lowest range of any wheel/tire combo)

The longest leg I've made is 258 miles, with a moderate load and against a 10-15 mph headwind. There was not a lot of terrain, but some rolling hills (Memphis to just south of Birmingham, AL on the I-22 corridor). I arrived with about 10% charge.

Because of the winds, I stayed at 68-70 for most of the trip, and the last 10-15 miles was in very heavy stop and go traffic. Temps were in the low 60s, and the battery was basically brand new so no degredation.

I think on 21s that 200 miles on the highway is very doable, although there may be edge cases (high winds, range, very cold) where you'll have to stop somewhere.

One thing to consider is the recent Ford/Tesla agreement to open up superchargers--In most of the country this completely eliminates range anxiety for the Lightning. That 258 mile gap was necessary because there are no other options on the route faster than 60kw between EA chargers. Also, the EA station at the south end of the route has had both of the "350kw" cabinets non-functional since at least March (they are still down as I write this three months later) and the EA station in Memphis has been completeley dead, with zero functioning chargers, since Memorial Day, weeks ago.

Right now, that route isn't possible for a Rivian or any other non-Tesla EV without hours on a slow charger.
wordle
There are three superchargers in or adjacent to Memphis, and you're never more than about 40 miles from one at any point on that route in a Tesla.

Thank you so much. Your comment provided me with an abundance of knowledge, helping me to expand my horizons.

 

[JJE]

I have an R1S which came with 20 ATs. I switched out the ATs for all seasons about six months in.

I live in the DC area so there is no situation in which I drive without traffic.

That said, on long distance road trips to NYC and back on the ATs, in winter (such as it is down here - 40s), in windy conditions averaging 65 mph, I got about 320 mile range on the ATs in Conserve mode

After I switched to AS tires I have been consistently getting 350 mile range in the spring/summer (no AC running) in normal mode.

The key in my experience is using Drive+ when possible and keeping speeds moderate (65-70).

 

[JJE]

Here are some range/efficiency computer screen shots from the NYC drive on the 20ATs.

 

[JJE]

This time from right screen. I was behind trucks and traffic so it may not be instructive for you.

 

[MM in South TX]

This time from right screen. I was behind trucks and traffic so it may not be instructive for you.

Thank you. Very helpful. I doubt that I would get above 1.8 at 75 without traffic.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I have heard from more than one lightning owner who has said the real range stinks. Unlike the lightning Rivian has not exaggerated the range numbers. I have the 21's which are the best range tires and I get easy 300 at freeway speeds. I have driven a good distance on the freeway and it's always been pretty consistent.

Granted I have a T not an S but I'm not sure that makes too much of a difference range wise. Especially if you're using conserve mode to maximize range you will get over 300 even at 75.

 

[TexasBob]

I do not qualify for a tax rebate.

Just to note that if you signed the RIvian non-refundable purchase contract last August, you do qualify for the tax rebate as long as you have enough tax liability (there is no income cap and no price cap). You claim it using an amendment to last year's taxes.

Also, fwiw, we have same delivery window but everything I am seeing suggests to me that this may arrive as soon as next month. We have Nov 21 order date and are seeing lots of folks in the Jun-Aug 2021 order window getting vehicles.

 

[MM in South TX]

Just to note that if you signed the RIvian non-refundable purchase contract last August, you do qualify for the tax rebate as long as you have enough tax liability (there is no income cap and no price cap). You claim it using an amendment to last year's taxes.

Also, fwiw, we have same delivery window but everything I am seeing suggests to me that this may arrive as soon as next month. We have Nov 21 order date and are seeing lots of folks in the Jun-Aug 2021 order window getting vehicles.

That would be nice but my CPA says otherwise. Something about needing a VIN by the end of 2022 to make it valid.

 

[MM in South TX]

I have heard from more than one lightning owner who has said the real range stinks. Unlike the lightning Rivian has not exaggerated the range numbers. I have the 21's which are the best range tires and I get easy 300 at freeway speeds. I have driven a good distance on the freeway and it's always been pretty consistent.

Granted I have a T not an S but I'm not sure that makes too much of a difference range wise. Especially if you're using conserve mode to maximize range you will get over 300 even at 75.

Overall my trip odometer says 2.1 the past 4000 miles. I drive it pretty hard. Love the acceleration and I spend a lot of time above 70 when I'm on the highway.

 

[MM in South TX]

I have heard from more than one lightning owner who has said the real range stinks. Unlike the lightning Rivian has not exaggerated the range numbers. I have the 21's which are the best range tires and I get easy 300 at freeway speeds. I have driven a good distance on the freeway and it's always been pretty consistent.

Granted I have a T not an S but I'm not sure that makes too much of a difference range wise. Especially if you're using conserve mode to maximize range you will get over 300 even at 75.

I appreciate the responses about overall range, but there are so many variables that play into that, like what charge did you start at and what charge did you finish at and were those highway miles etc. Miles per kilowatt hour is something we can all compare a little more easily.

 

[Operator]

I have the r1s on 21s and I get about 2mi/kw at 70-75. All purpose lowest ride height

 

[TexasBob]

That would be nice but my CPA says otherwise. Something about needing a VIN by the end of 2022 to make it valid.

You need a new CPA lol. IRS updated guidance on this. As soon as my VIN is in I will file with it for 2022 (currently on an extension hoping to get the VINS before Oct). There are lots of threads on this and obviously your call, but most folks in our situation on the various Fisker and Lucid forums as well as here are claiming for 2022 under the transition rule. 100% of Fisker Oceans are delivering this year and even next. Lots of precedent.

 

[MM in South TX]

You need a new CPA lol. IRS updated guidance on this. As soon as my VIN is in I will file with it for 2022 (currently on an extension hoping to get the VINS before Oct). There are lots of threads on this and obviously your call, but most folks in our situation on the various Fisker and Lucid forums as well as here are claiming for 2022 under the transition rule. 100% of Fisker Oceans are delivering this year and even next. Lots of precedent.

I'm always up for an education. Thanks. Still cruising the forum and trying to decide on my next car. At this point I'm thinking seriously about a Grenadier!

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