Rivian drops Max Pack from latest post? ?

[zipzag]

The question for me is, "If they announce the new Max-Pack specs/tech will I, as a pre-March order holder be able to switch back to Max-Pack at the old prices?"

Rivian is likely trying to fill as many OG preorders as possible to avoid upgraders. Eliminating a R1S max pack was perhaps also part of that strategy. Rivian's unfilled R1T large pack order book is down to the last 5-6 month of low price preorders. So if Rivian can keep that last group from catching max pack mania their 2023 production schedule is more stable.

As I've said before my guess is that the max pack is on schedule but also on the DL as much as possible.

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[zipzag]

If the large pack performs as well as the Ev kona I’m driving now. Then that’s good enough for me. Sure it would be nice to not have to stop to charge when going to visit my parents and go atving around the area they live in but if it can do it while just stopping once like the kona can then that’s acceptable for me. I think I could probably make it on a single charge but I haven’t had the guts to try it lol

It would be strange to pay an extra $10K and always carry an extra 500lbs to avoid a couple of charging stops per year.

Some max pack preorders who are buying their first EV will find that the large pack would have been completely adequate.

 

[Ralph]

Rivian is likely trying to fill as many OG preorders as possible to avoid upgraders. Eliminating a R1S max pack was perhaps also part of that strategy. Rivian's unfilled R1T large pack order book is down to the last 5-6 month of low price preorders. So if Rivian can keep that last group from catching max pack mania their 2023 production schedule is more stable.

As I've said before my guess is that the max pack is on schedule but also on the DL as much as possible.

Are you sure? May I ask how you come to that conclusion? I'm not arguing, but trying to (re)set expectations.

Thanks!

 

[DirtyJester]

It would be strange to pay an extra $10K and always carry an extra 500lbs to avoid a couple of charging stops per year.

Some max pack preorders who are buying their first EV will find that the large pack would have been completely adequate.

Agreed…
For daily purposes large pack will be more then adequate for I would think 75-80% of people. Lots of people complain about having to stop to charge on the way somewhere when I talk to ppl about road trips but quickly change their mind when I ask if they ever stop for lunch on a road trip and explain the time they take to stop and eat would apply for charging so realistically what is the issue? And really change their tune when comparing costs of gas road trips to Ev road trips.

 

[zefram47]

It would be strange to pay an extra $10K and always carry an extra 500lbs to avoid a couple of charging stops per year.

Some max pack preorders who are buying their first EV will find that the large pack would have been completely adequate.

For some, maybe most, sure. But anyone with an eye to towing beyond their local metro area or doing much off-grid travel in remote areas will need the max pack. I daily drive a car with 110 miles of range with zero issue and still take it up into the mountains. In my case the Rivian will replace my electric MINI and my off-road/tow-pig 4Runner and I'm hoping the Rivian will actually allow me to tow the race car where my 4Runner's towing capacity isn't high enough since I ditched my Miata.

 

[Prime]

I think once Tesla superchargers come online for the general public it will alleviate a lot of travel concerns because they’re everywhere and reliable. Max range would be great, but hopefully Tesla does this soon.

 

[Monkey]

If they drop the max pack then I’m out. My Lightning is scheduled for production and Cybertruck line is tooling up. I love what Rivian is doing but the Lightning fits my overall needs better. I would take the R1T over the Lightning if it got me another 75~100 miles of range.

 

[zipzag]

Are you sure? May I ask how you come to that conclusion? I'm not arguing, but trying to (re)set expectations.

Thanks!

I should have said "What I view as the most likely scenario". Pretty simple, really. The PR guy ducked the max pack question in the reddit Q and A. RJ confirmed the max pack because he was asked a direct question. The head of Rivian production hair is on fire and needs a stable order book. I know the later because of work experience at a competitor.

But anyways, Rivian will tell us what's up in the next 10 days. Remember you are LOCKED IN are should feel doubt and stress when considering changing your configuration.

Plans could still blow up. But what Rivian plans to build in the next 4-6 months is based on realism. What Rivian plans to build in 2H 2023 is more hope based. So as long as max pack preorders get a new 1H 2023 date the odds of that happening are quite good.

 

[Cycleman]

For me its not about the long road trips as much as the 250-300 mile day or weekend road trip where I don't want to worry about running out or scrapping by in areas that currently have no to limited charging networks. Also I plan to install solar panels at the house to charge with so would rather not pay for electric on the road if I can make it in a single charge back home and re-charge for free....down the line I think we will be paying more for charging on the road than you down now as well. Hopefully we see the Max pack next year ( I have been planning for a new car in 2023 for the last couple of years now)....or I will have to make a decision. My current vehicles are aging out. Fingers crossed we know more in 10 days.

 

[ironpig]

For some, maybe most, sure. But anyone with an eye to towing beyond their local metro area or doing much off-grid travel in remote areas will need the max pack. I daily drive a car with 110 miles of range with zero issue and still take it up into the mountains. In my case the Rivian will replace my electric MINI and my off-road/tow-pig 4Runner and I'm hoping the Rivian will actually allow me to tow the race car where my 4Runner's towing capacity isn't high enough since I ditched my Miata.

Agreed - Max Pack is all about increasing tow range. On a daily basis I'd never use it, but towing horses every once and a while the extra range would be helpful. Luckily most of our towing is short haul.

 

[zipzag]

I think once Tesla superchargers come online for the general public it will alleviate a lot of travel concerns because they’re everywhere and reliable. Max range would be great, but hopefully Tesla does this soon.

You are counting on Tesla giving up their largest competitive advantage in North America. In reality Tesla is doing the opposite by starting to sell CCS adapters.

There's a lot going on in Elon Musk's brain. This includes the desire to be helpful and gain social approval. But in the end fear and competitiveness are dominate. Tesla is building vehicles faster than chargers (the ratio is increasing). Tesla will soon be building a million vehicle per year for North America. How is it to Teslas benefit to have non-Teslas at full Superchargers?

The most likely scenario is that it will seem like Supercharger is opening up with CCS at a few test sites. Then CCS charging will be slow rolled as long as it benefits Tesla.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Tesla opens up their many low volume Superchargers. But they can't open up Superchargers in places like LA without the risk of a riot.

 

[Prime]

You are counting on Tesla giving up their largest competitive advantage in North America. In reality Tesla is doing the opposite by starting to sell CCS adapters.

There's a lot going on in Elon Musk's brain. This includes the desire to be helpful and gain social approval. But in the end fear and competitiveness are dominate. Tesla is building vehicles faster than chargers (the ratio is increasing). Tesla will soon be building a million vehicle per year for North America. How is it to Teslas benefit to have non-Teslas at full Superchargers?

The most likely scenario is that it will seem like Supercharger is opening up with CCS at a few test sites. Then CCS charging will be slow rolled as long as it benefits Tesla.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Tesla opens up their many low volume Superchargers. But they can't open up Superchargers in places like LA without the risk of a riot.

Yea very possible, not like Elon has been the most accurate person to take on his word in the past. But at the very least the new huge 50-150 stall supercharging stations being planned are being built with government funding from the new infrastructure bill which would require Tesla chargers to be universal and there have already been leaked images of these new universal chargers.

ideally all existing stations would also open up, but I do understand and agree with your take that it would remove some of the competitive advantage Tesla has right now with its existing infrastructure.

 

[zipzag]

Yea very possible, not like Elon has been the most accurate person to take on his word in the past. But at the very least the new huge 50-150 stall supercharging stations being planned are being built with government funding from the new infrastructure bill which would require Tesla chargers to be universal and there have already been leaked images of these new universal chargers.

ideally all existing stations would also open up, but I do understand and agree with your take that it would remove some of the competitive advantage Tesla has right now with its existing infrastructure.

Yes, the stations using the BBB money will need to have CCS. But I've only read about Tesla not being accepted..

By far the best use of that funding would have given it all to Tesla to build CCS stations. The low bid state selected installers are likely to suck compared to Supercharger. EA demonstrates what happens with low bidder selection and hardware supplier diversity.

I like Rivian manufacturing their own DCFC chargers.

 

[Monkey]

Yes, the stations using the BBB money will need to have CCS. But I've only read about Tesla not being accepted..

they’re accepted now but got little funding since the acceptance was late. After appealing the decision, the only thing the committee was able to cite for reason was Tesla’s proprietary chargers but that fell flat because they are providing universal chargers here. I thunk some lobbyists did a number on them is what ultimately happened, pushing back on Tesla and earning more funding for whoever they were lobbying for.

By far the best use of that funding would have given it all to Tesla to build CCS stations. The low bid state selected installers are likely to suck compared to Supercharger. EA demonstrates what happens with low bidder selection and hardware supplier diversity.

I like Rivian manufacturing their own DCFC chargers.

Yeah, that actually would have made too much sense. Wouldn’t ever happen. As for EA, they’re getting a lot better. They’ve had to get rid of the cut-rate installers and suppliers to make it all work. I think the best decision EA has made is the Wal-Mart partnership. Hopefully they expand it to include all wal-mart stores then you just know that wal-mart == I can charge. Although last I heard, Wal-Mart was lukewarm on the whole thing. Saying it seemed to offer no draw for more retail traffic and their customer service people now had to deal with complaints of chargers blocked by non-charging vehicles.

or it means that as soon as Wal-Mart sees enough charging customers, they’ll just provide their own chargers and cut EA out of the loop.

 

[mkg3]

If they drop the max pack then I’m out. My Lightning is scheduled for production and Cybertruck line is tooling up. I love what Rivian is doing but the Lightning fits my overall needs better. I would take the R1T over the Lightning if it got me another 75~100 miles of range.

With all due respect, this is an irrational statement.

1) Max pack does not exist today
2) F150 is a better fit, by your account
3) If and when Rivian starts max pack, your F150 will be built and sold to you or someone else

So what you're saying is that you're holding out for a mirage when a better suited option is in front of you. Its just that the mirage is more appealing even-though its just a mirage.

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