R1T 12v battery replacement every 2 years?!

[zymolysis]

$350 each, plus cost

Rivian isn't paying retail cost for batteries - not for the AGM batteries, or for Lithium batteries (if they chose to install them). However, the cost to Rivian to replace any battery as a service item is far, far higher than the cost to install a somewhat more expensive battery on the production line. How many millions of dollars do you suppose that Rivian has spent to replace 12V batteries under warranty? Which also adds to their backlogs in service. And also contributes to the impression that their vehicles are unreliable - which will (has) definitely reduce sales.

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Rivian isn't paying retail cost for batteries - not for the AGM batteries, or for Lithium batteries (if they chose to install them). However, the cost to Rivian to replace any battery as a service item is far, far higher than the cost to install a somewhat more expensive battery on the production line. How many millions of dollars do you suppose that Rivian has spent to replace 12V batteries under warranty? Which also adds to their backlogs in service. And also contributes to the impression that their vehicles are unreliable - which will (has) definitely reduce sales.

And I've said it before. Even if they paid 50% of retail price, in 2025 alone, it's still a significant cost over the 40k-ish cars they delivered. Simple math. Also said before, the underlying problem isn't because it's a lead acid battery and not Lithium-ion. The problem is management of it; BMS. Even if it was a larger capacity, with more juice in reserve, it still doesn't address why too much is being asked of the 12V... its either poor BMS logic or an inherent architecture problem (and taxing the 12V too much).

Too many people don't take time to understand the why. They oversimplify and assume a Lithium 12V is the magic silver bullet.