The most important Rivian battery pack, dubbed the Max pack, is now coming into manufacturing, however with much less capability than unique mentioned.
When it introduced the Max pack about two years in the past, Rivian talked about a gross capability of 180 kwh. However this previous week, Rivian confirmed to Automobile and Driver that it is largest pack has a gross capability of simply 149 kwh.
Since then, Rivian has additionally confirmed that quantity to Inexperienced Automobile Stories in addition to one thing maybe much more significant: why it isn’t 180 kwh.
Rivian R1T, inexperienced, vs. Rivian R1S, silver
Briefly: The Max pack makes use of a brand new battery cell, in the identical kind issue utilized by Rivian’s 135-kwh Massive pack and with out gaining mass—so with its better efficiencies it might actually be well worth the $10,000 premium.
“This effectivity was reached by our engineers who developed a proprietary battery administration system that optimizes and will increase the usable battery power from a brand new model of our 2170 battery cell with superior chemistry that enables for each greater power density and better absolute power,” defined Rivian, in a response offered to Inexperienced Automobile Stories. “That is as a substitute of including extra cells or modules to an current battery pack, which might add extra mass to the automobile itself.
Rivian on Friday once more confirmed that the overall (gross) capability of its Massive pack is 135 kwh. Usable capability, Rivian has emphasised prior to now, could differ over time because it improves the electrical vans’ efficiency and effectivity through over-the-air updates.
“Our automobiles’ vary is pushed by many components throughout power storage, drive unit effectivity, aerodynamics, and extra,” stated a Rivian spokesperson to Inexperienced Automobile Stories Friday, in response to a question about present usable capability. “As you realize, we enhance automobile software program by means of over-the-air updates, which means we proceed to optimize automobile effectivity and vary no matter when a buyer takes supply of their Rivian.”
Extra miles per kwh for Max pack?
With out realizing usable capability—and assuming it is about the identical ratio of the pack capability as for the Massive pack—that means the Max pack fashions are literally getting higher effectivity and extra miles per kwh.
The Max pack is obtainable in each the R1T electrical pickup truck and R1S SUV, however solely with the recently-launched Twin-Motor powertrain. As revealed just lately, the Max pack R1T and R1S have been EPA-rated at 410 miles and 400 miles respectively. Twin-Motor vans with the Massive pack had been just lately rated at as much as 352 miles.
2023 Rivian R1T
Permitting that three-row, 400-mile R1S Max pack
Deliveries of R1T Max pack fashions are already underway; R1S Max pack deliveries are scheduled to start out later this fall—with its third row and cargo areas now doubtless not impacted by the Max pack.
That wasn’t initially the case. Earlier on in these vans’ gestation, Rivian had steered that packaging on Max pack R1S variations could be a bit totally different and forgo the three-row format.
Rivian has from the beginning used a special thermal technique than different EV makers—permitting it to bundle extra power into much less area. And it is provided a battery guarantee that beats Tesla and different EVs.
Now it is clear they are not executed with these concepts and the longest-range vans could symbolize improved thermal engineering. There’s certainly extra backstory to but to return.
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with extra reporting by Bengt Halvorson
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