R2 Range Limitations and Rivian's Response

[gecko10x]

Yes, many times with different settings for wind, temp, road conditions and SOC.

I'm a little worried about range. On the interstate I think there are enough places to charge but when headed into the mountains the locations are fewer and a lot lower charge rating, which tell me they might also be less maintained and more likely to not be use.

I just took a peek at the PlugShare map for CCS/NACS in ID... the center of the state looks like it could certainly be problematic.

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[WoodChips]

I just took a peak at the PlugShare map for CCS/NACS in ID... the center of the state looks like it could certainly be problematic.

That is what I'm seeing. I've looked at a lot of websites and some show charging locations but when I click on them for more information they're often campgrounds with 30amp plugs.

I wanted an all around primary vehicle for my wife and I that had good range that we could take on road trips, be able to haul some stuff, tow a decent amount, go camping and hiking adventures with our dog. I really want the R2 to fill that roll but I'm watching the ranges posted close because I'm no longer sure.

Our vehicles are aging out and EV is the future so I would like to make the transition.

For a second vehicle a smaller range won't be an issue and I may get something like the slate truck. A basic utility no frills vehicle.

I use my truck bed a lot, it's why the towing rating is important because I could use a trailer to fulfill the needs of the truck bed. *I'm a commercial truck driver and have no problems handling a trailer.

What I'm worried about is spending 60k on a vehicle that doesn't check our boxes.

 

[Apprunner]

That is what I'm seeing. I've looked at a lot of websites and some show charging locations but when I click on them for more information they're often campgrounds with 30amp plugs.

I wanted an all around primary vehicle for my wife and I that had good range that we could take on road trips, be able to haul some stuff, tow a decent amount, go camping and hiking adventures with our dog. I really want the R2 to fill that roll but I'm watching the ranges posted close because I'm no longer sure.

Our vehicles are aging out and EV is the future so I would like to make the transition.

For a second vehicle a smaller range won't be an issue and I may get something like the slate truck. A basic utility no frills vehicle.

I use my truck bed a lot, it's why the towing rating is important because I could use a trailer to fulfill the needs of the truck bed. *I'm a commercial truck driver and have no problems handling a trailer.

What I'm worried about is spending 60k on a vehicle that doesn't check our boxes.

It sounds like an R1T is much more suitable for you. Maybe look at used ones? They have way more range than the R2 (and way better towing to boot).

 

[WoodChips]

It sounds like an R1T is much more suitable for you. Maybe look at used ones? They have way more range than the R2 (and way better towing to boot).

Perhaps but the R2 is as big as I feel we can go... My wife has a genetic handicap when it comes to driving. Lol. It works out well for us, I get motion sickness and I like to drive. I'm the 13 years we've been together she has only driven me three times and the last one was the R2 test drive.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Perhaps but the R2 is as big as I feel we can go... My wife has a genetic handicap when it comes to driving. Lol. It works out well for us, I get motion sickness and I like to drive. I'm the 13 years we've been together she has only driven me three times and the last one was the R2 test drive.

If your remote driving routes do have charger stops, going with an R2 may force you to have 5-10 extra 15-minute charge stops each year. With everything else you like about R2, maybe that isn't a big deal.

 

[VandalSibs]

I agree, but on the other hand, I think most were at least marginally surprised and/or disappointed that it was 77 miles off of Rivian’s published range. RJ publicly said it would be competitive with MY.

It's competitive on the combined rating, which is what all the manufacturers use in their advertising and on their websites.

 

[Bullwinkle]

It's competitive on the combined rating, which is what all the manufacturers use in their advertising and on their websites.

I agree, but Rivian has to take biz from MY; and I do wish R2 had gone even 25 miles farther.

 

[WoodChips]

If your remote driving routes do have charger stops, going with an R2 may force you to have 5-10 extra 15-minute charge stops each year. With everything else you like about R2, maybe that isn't a big deal.

How much time is added on a charger that's putting out 7.9 KW? That's assuming it works and available.

I'm the mountain areas this is the type of "chargers" available.

I really want the R2 to work for me. It's sad that the funding to install more chargers in areas like this took too long to be put into action and then then pulled from the next administration.

 

[GRSmith]

30 miles per hour or so.

 

[WoodChips]

30 miles per hour or so.

That's what im struggling with. If charging at this speed gets us 30 miles per hour I'm looking at 4 hours of charging to get back home. If we're lucky and there is a good trail we can manage but if we're stuck sitting next to a slow charger that's not really practical. Others have said an extra 15 minute of charging here and there, that's not what I'm struggling with.

I wish there were more chargers remote areas. I can't help but think others have a similar or worse situation.

I have about 1000 shares of Rivian stock. I want them to succeed but these are the challenges some of us face.

It may mean we change our destinations and stay closer to faster chargers and hope they continue to build out the network. But there are some really cool "adventure areas" out there we want to continue to explore.

I'm know the return on investment means adding more chargers in cities but that doesn't help the rural areas.

 

[NY_Rob]

I agree, but on the other hand, I think most were at least marginally surprised and/or disappointed that it was 77 miles off of Rivian’s published range. RJ publicly said it would be competitive with MY.

Well they're now taking the heat for using the EPA test cycle that's not very realistic just like Tesla took the heat for years when they used the same over optimistic test. Even I used to call them "Elon miles" when referring to the inflated range estimates Tesla used to use. Maybe we'll have to refer to them as "R2 miles" now

 

[Dennisis]

That’s an extreme example alright and the answer is access to a charger in Stanley ideally. PlugShare gives the RV resort high ratings and users say to contact the owners and reserve a time slot in advance. Not ideal but doable with a bit of planning. Best you can expect out in the middle of nowhere, definitely off the beaten path.

 

[lordsutch]

That's what im struggling with. If charging at this speed gets us 30 miles per hour I'm looking at 4 hours of charging to get back home. If we're lucky and there is a good trail we can manage but if we're stuck sitting next to a slow charger that's not really practical. Others have said an extra 15 minute of charging here and there, that's not what I'm struggling with.

I wish there were more chargers remote areas. I can't help but think others have a similar or worse situation.

As a general point, not every public charger (DC or L2) that you can use is included in Rivian's route planner or ABRP. For example, there's a level 2 site at Southfork Lodge on the road up to Stanley on PlugShare that's not on Rivian's map and is well-reviewed; just be sure you have a J1772 to NACS adapter with you. It's not going to save you total charging time but it does give you options to do things at different locations for less time at each one.

And while I know this is an illustrative example, I plugged the round trip into ABRP and starting from 100% on Boise and allowing a 10% buffer on return, and using a 2.9 mi/kWh reference consumption at 65 mph it estimated that you'd arrive at 40–43% depending on whether you picked the northern or southern route and need to charge for just over an hour at the RV park to get back. Even if it's off a little, 2 hours at the RV park would do it—or an hour at Southfork Lodge and then an hour at the RV park or Redfish Lake Lodge.

Longer term hopefully the economics of DC fast charging make 50+ kW charging more accessible in rural areas; unfortunately small-site battery-backed DC charging so far has mostly been a graveyard of startup failures so far, but they should eventually get there.

 

[Bullwinkle]

The EPA part of it doesn’t bother me much, Rivian not being close to MY or iX3 in hwy range does.

I have only bought cars that are EV or PHEV since 2016. I bought two BMW X45e then a Grand Cherokee X4e and finally a BMW X50e (2026) —that I bought to compliment the R2 that I have on order. Most of these had a few thousand miles on them when purchased.

In the middle of these PHEV cars I got a new 2023 R1S. It is my only car ever that has never been in the shop for actual service. When I say ever—I mean dating back to 1984 and 20ish cars.

I have had it to Rivian Service when the ordered spare tire finally arrived. Once I had them rotate the Pirellis. Once I replaced the Pirellis at a 3rd party tire store. No issues, no rattles, no adjustments, only OTA recalls and upgrades.

My only reasons for wanting to trade it in for an R2 were:
1) Autonomous capability
2) Slightly more maneuverability
3) Less complexity for out-of-warranty issues that could arise

I LOVE my R1S. If anyone is on the fence about a Rivian purchase, I would say this is the ultimate car. It literally is a utility vehicle, a top 5% muscle car, a top 5% back country car, and a top 5% family car. I live in MPLS and have taken it to Des Moines, Madison, Steamboat Springs, Northern Minnesota, and Bozeman. Charging isn’t that hard.

For those of you that have not owned an EV or even a PHEV before, all I can say is that you have no idea. Maybe don’t try the crack, because driving-life without an electric motor will leave you wanting.

I am a fan, and my 3 year old R1S is still perfect—aside from being Gen-1. Maybe I will wait for Rivian to increase the range a bit on R2, my guess is that they will. Maybe it will take 6 months or maybe 2 years. My actual guess is one year and that it will cost a few thousand dollars more—but it will include the new computer and Lidar. If I wait, I will miss out on LE freebies…dang I’m still pondering.

 

[Bullwinkle]

As a general point, not every public charger (DC or L2) that you can use is included in Rivian's route planner or ABRP. For example, there's a level 2 site at Southfork Lodge on the road up to Stanley on PlugShare that's not on Rivian's map and is well-reviewed; just be sure you have a J1772 to NACS adapter with you. It's not going to save you total charging time but it does give you options to do things at different locations for less time at each one.

And while I know this is an illustrative example, I plugged the round trip into ABRP and starting from 100% on Boise and allowing a 10% buffer on return, and using a 2.9 mi/kWh reference consumption at 65 mph it estimated that you'd arrive at 40–43% depending on whether you picked the northern or southern route and need to charge for just over an hour at the RV park to get back. Even if it's off a little, 2 hours at the RV park would do it—or an hour at Southfork Lodge and then an hour at the RV park or Redfish Lake Lodge.

Longer term hopefully the economics of DC fast charging make 50+ kW charging more accessible in rural areas; unfortunately small-site battery-backed DC charging so far has mostly been a graveyard of startup failures so far, but they should eventually get there.

It will, but I understand that the time frame is unknown.

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