R2 Range Limitations and Rivian's Response

[tivoboy]

So, in everyone’s opinion, what hwy range can I reasonable expect at no more than 75 mph charged to 100%? We do trips of 410 miles and would like to do them with one charge, maybe to 90%. Route would be from Newport Beach CA to Kettleman City, then on to Walnut Creek. Thx in advance.

No chance that’s a one stop trip.. two at best.. it’s probably not even a one stop trip in a TM3 or MY..maybe RWD could do it. (Depending on length of stop of course)

You most likely CAN make it to kettleman, but on that route there are so many options if you’d rather stop 25-75 miles before kettleman there are LOTS of options.

And then it’s a short stop getting closer to the Bay Area for a 2nd stop.. or you MIGHT be able to do one stop and get to destination with <5%, but there are so many options along the I5, 880, 280 whatever route you take a 5-10 min stop somewhere is worthwhile.

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[windshieldfarmer]

Rivian seems to have enough orders to hit 2026 targets. But the competition is going to be tougher in 2027, and Rivian plans to bring the Georgia factory online in the 2nd half of the year. So, Q3 and Q4 2027 need to be huge sales periods.

Competition will be formidable in 2027:

Tesla Model Y and YL 6 seater $50k to $62k, 255 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

BMW iX3 $73k, 350 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

MB GLC $77k, 260-mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

Volvo EX60 P10 $64k, 270 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC (no autonomous driving)

Rivian R2 $62.5K ($2k of options and autonomy+), 200 mile range @ 75mph from 100% to 10% SoC

(Typical freeway range is my estimate for new vehicles equipped on manfacturer's website to match Performance R2 with Autonomy +)

Reckless Speculation:
Although 2026 volume estimates appear to be on track, I think Rivian may need to increase range by 20-25% to hit its 2nd half 2027 volume estimates.

Is this possible without a structural redesign? Is there room for more batteries or the same number of higher energy cell? Are there manufacturing and/or software changes that can help in the near term? What could be done in time for the Lidar/CPU update?

I am thinking that a 10% range boost through software and manufacturing process tweaks could come with the Lidar/CPU launch. Could an extended battery range option be offered by this time next year, maybe 30-50 miles for $2-3k? If 20 miles can be achieved in the next few months through tweaks, and a 50-mile extended range option were shipping before Q4 2027, Rivian would be well-positioned to proceed with the new Georgia plant.

I think your analysis is appropriate. While your range estimate for the ix3 is about 50 miles higher than real world testing, the other vehicles are spot on…and that could be a challenge for Rivian. Rivian doesn’t need to be the best but it does need at least 40 more miles of high speed range to be in the ball park with its more pavement oriented competition. Perhaps programming tweaks might help modestly but the aerodynamics will make meaningful improvement difficult without more battery capacity.

 

[Apprunner]

I think your analysis is appropriate. While your range estimate for the ix3 is about 50 miles higher than real world testing, the other vehicles are spot on…and that could be a challenge for Rivian. Rivian doesn’t need to be the best but it does need at least 40 more miles of high speed range to be in the ball park with its more pavement oriented competition. Perhaps programming tweaks might help modestly but the aerodynamics will make meaningful improvement difficult without more battery capacity.

R2 won't get there unless the regular Dual Motor version has significant tweaks. I could forgive the Performance version for less than ideal range (R2 will smoke all of those vehicles listed in Performance sans MYP) but I'm afraid the DM version will be similar to the Performance version.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I think your analysis is appropriate. While your range estimate for the ix3 is about 50 miles higher than real world testing, the other vehicles are spot on…and that could be a challenge for Rivian. Rivian doesn’t need to be the best but it does need at least 40 more miles of high speed range to be in the ball park with its more pavement oriented competition. Perhaps programming tweaks might help modestly but the aerodynamics will make meaningful improvement difficult without more battery capacity.

You may be right on iX3 range, I was using this info:

 

[savethemanual]

I think your analysis is appropriate. While your range estimate for the ix3 is about 50 miles higher than real world testing, the other vehicles are spot on…and that could be a challenge for Rivian. Rivian doesn’t need to be the best but it does need at least 40 more miles of high speed range to be in the ball park with its more pavement oriented competition. Perhaps programming tweaks might help modestly but the aerodynamics will make meaningful improvement difficult without more battery capacity.

Except the price on the R2, the premium AWD will be out this year yet and starts at $54k. Yes, performance launch is all one can get now but that will change very soon.

 

[Tracaus]

I know most of the people on this site are current Rivian owners. Where you should all be concerned is for those that don't currently drive a Rivian, why pay more for an R2 with significantly less range than a Tesla Model Y. I get the offroad argument, which is valid. How many people will really primarily use the R2 as an offroad vehicle? According to the Rivian rep when I test drove, it's like 10% are asking for 20 inch wheels (not a scientific benchmark, but it's something).

Why current Rivian owners should care is that if this car doesn't sell, who's going to service your car in 5 years? A couple of diehards is not going to keep a company afloat. I ordered an R2 on July 31 with a fair amount of excitement, but I am questioning if I walk away from the $500 deposit to get 50 more miles per charge. That's real.

 

[rvnxyz001]

I know most of the people on this site are current Rivian owners. Where you should all be concerned is for those that don't currently drive a Rivian, why pay more for an R2 with significantly less range than a Tesla Model Y. I get the offroad argument, which is valid. How many people will really primarily use the R2 as an offroad vehicle? According to the Rivian rep when I test drove, it's like 10% are asking for 20 inch wheels (not a scientific benchmark, but it's something).

Why current Rivian owners should care is that if this car doesn't sell, who's going to service your car in 5 years? A couple of diehards is not going to keep a company afloat. I ordered an R2 on July 31 with a fair amount of excitement, but I am questioning if I walk away from the $500 deposit to get 50 more miles per charge. That's real.

The R2’s true EPA range is 275 miles, as stated for its RWD version, which uses the same battery as the AWD version. It’s as simple as that.

You just need to decide if you want 300+ miles range or 275 and maybe go offroad occasionally

 

[Dark-Fx]

100% this. People are absolutely over blowing this and not put real life factor into it. Plus people are not reading the fine print on EPA range estimates. This is no different than an ice vehicles equating average of city and highway.

If you were actually serious about it you would have done you homework on what the EPA range means and what it equates to. No different than shopping for an ICE vehicle. Did you know you calculated EPA range in your ICE vehicle is not based on the entire tank of gas being used up at 70mph, meaning you are not getting you actual listed range per EPA on your ICE vehicle ?

Part of the issue is ICE cars tend to get better and sometimes much better economy on the freeway. EVs don't follow this because they recover energy when stopping.

 

[ripple]

The R2’s true EPA range is 275 miles, as stated for its RWD version, which uses the same battery as the AWD version. It’s as simple as that.

You just need to decide if you want 300+ miles range or 275 and maybe go offroad occasionally

Sorry, this is incorrect. There are two different size batteries available.

Performance and Premium trims do not offer the smaller battery pack, but it's the default on the basic "Standard" trim unless one upgrades to the LR battery pack...which puts it back at 330+ EPA est. range.

 

[Tracaus]

The R2’s true EPA range is 275 miles, as stated for its RWD version, which uses the same battery as the AWD version. It’s as simple as that.

You just need to decide if you want 300+ miles range or 275 and maybe go offroad occasionally

I understand your point, and the offroad flexibility is nice. However, the only version available right now is the Performance with a stated 330 EPA range. Real world testers are showing the Performance trim is really only getting 260 highway miles. That's more than 20% short of stated range. I can accept that to a point as my 2023 Model Y LR really only gets 260 miles per charge now (under normal weather), but that's after 3 years of driving. I live in the Midwest, so I absolutely experience the massive range swings between winter, summer, and spring/fall that affect all EVs.

I am curious how towing impacts range. I have a 1500 lb. popup camper, and it does cut my Tesla's range in half (even in perfect weather). If Rivian performs better, it would absolutely change the calculus and allay my fears. Has anyone seen any real world testing from early deliveries?

 

[sparked]

I am curious how towing impacts range. I have a 1500 lb. popup camper, and it does cut my Tesla's range in half (even in perfect weather). If Rivian performs better, it would absolutely change the calculus and allay my fears. Has anyone seen any real world testing from early deliveries?

There's some early threads here related to towing. One thread about the out of spec towing test.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/forums/r2-towing-trailering-flat-tow-hauling-hitches.188/

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