Charging Options for the R1S/R1T

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Tid said:
400 miles / 180 kWh = 2.22 miles/kWh
Without showing the math here that will make the cost of driving the Rivian about 80% of the cost of a full-size Pickup. Close to the same as a Ranger, Toyota or Colorado. Considering the cost of charging and the cost of the battery.
That it is electric is good and exciting, but no savings on fuel. And as of now considerable inconvenience on long trips.
I'd like to have an electric pickup, but right now they don't seem to be economically feasible. Now even close if one intends to tow or haul anything.
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Most charging is done at home (YMMV), where prices range from 8 cents/kWh in Idaho to 18 cents/kWh in Connecticut and New York (a whopping 33 cents if you're lucky enough to live in Hawaii). This means it will cost $14.40 to refuel an empty 180 kWh Rivian battery in Idaho and $32.40 in Connecticut and New York, all to drive 400 miles. These are all theoretical numbers as few drive to a completely empty tank.

Yes, using the public fast charging (EVgo, Electrify America, etc.) will cost more. There is a recent Salt River Project (Phoenix area) EV study that showed EV drivers charged 81% at home, 16% at work, and 3% in public. Now we all can agree how a pickup truck or SUV driver may (or may not) drive differently than a Bolt or LEAF driver, and that people buy pickups and SUVs for capability and - if we're being honest - because they like them. I'm a huge Jeep guy, and the % that takes their Jeep off-road (low range) is barely at 10% last time I saw numbers.

For most customers, driving an electric truck or SUV will be significantly cheaper than the gas or diesel equivalent. That's even before you get to maintenance costs.
 
"For most customers, driving an electric truck or SUV will be significantly cheaper than the gas or diesel equivalent. "

Unfortunately, that is true only if one uses flawed logic. Yes, it's true if the cost of charging is the only cost of driving the vehicle. But it's not. The cost of the battery for the Rivian PU is at least 50% of the cost of the vehicle. Basically, it's a Ford Ranger with a $40000 to $50,000 engine upgrade. Say $700 a month to pay for the battery. How much gasoline can I buy for $700? Somewhere between 200 and 250 gallons. Enough to drive 4-5 thousand miles a month. So the cost to drive 400 miles is actually much higher than the cost of gasoline or diesel. If a person can pay cash for the Rivian then maybe they can ignore this cost. If a person is making payments then the costs are real and out of pocket each month. A person can never make up for the up-front costs for the Rivian.

A Ford Ranger is at least as capable on and off road, and the Ranger is going to be much cheaper both short and long term. A person will pay more each month for the Rivian. And the Ranger is a capable tow vehicle. No way that $40,000 Rivian battery can last longer than 100 miles towing a 4000 lb. boat.

Logically the only way an electric vehicle can be less expensive is when the battery costs no more than an engine upgrade. $2000-$4000

What makes over the road electric trucks a good deal is that the cost of the battery is a lower percentage of the total cost and the truck is driven over a million miles a year.
 
An owner of a Rivian will "...make up for the up-front costs..." in pure enjoyment of driving a powerful, more capable, cleaner, quieter vehicle. I do not drive electric for economics or the environment. I drive electric for the acceleration.
 
It's good that you have the money to do that. I expect Rivian has their bar set a little higher than that. They will lose millions of dollars if that is all it's good for. Personally, I've grown up past the point where I need a fast car to entertain myself.
 
Larry said:
A Ford Ranger is at least as capable on and off road, and the Ranger is going to be much cheaper both short and long term. A person will pay more each month for the Rivian. And the Ranger is a capable tow vehicle. No way that $40,000 Rivian battery can last longer than 100 miles towing a 4000 lb. boat.
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A think the Rivian will be much more capable than a Ranger. Much greater ground clearance, 14.2 inches compared to 8.9 inches as well as break over angle -- 26° to 21.5° -- and deeper water wading, 36 inches to 31.5. On road, the Rivian has the acceleration of a high-end sports car.

As for towing, the Ranger is max rated for 7,500 pounds while the R1T is rated for 11,000 pounds. Certainly, towing will affect range, but it remains to be seen as to the extent. I expect it will halve the range with a medium size load, but the shape and actual weight will make a difference.

I look forward to actual testing numbers being released.

[Ford Ranger tech specs PDF]
 
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