The most important Rivian battery pack, dubbed the Max pack, is now coming into manufacturing, however with much less capability than authentic 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 Experiences in addition to one thing maybe much more significant: why it is not 180 kwh.
Rivian R1T, inexperienced, vs. Rivian R1S, silver
In brief: The Max pack makes use of a brand new battery cell, in the identical type issue utilized by Rivian’s 135-kwh Massive pack and with out gaining mass—so with its better efficiencies it could really 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 supplied to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences. “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 up to now, might range over time because it improves the electrical vans’ efficiency and effectivity by way of over-the-air updates.
“Our automobiles’ vary is pushed by many components throughout power storage, drive unit effectivity, aerodynamics, and extra,” mentioned a Rivian spokesperson to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences Friday, in response to a question about present usable capability. “As , we enhance automobile software program by way 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 implies the Max pack fashions are literally getting higher effectivity and extra miles per kwh.
The Max pack is out there in each the R1T electrical pickup truck and R1S SUV, however solely with the recently-launched Twin-Motor powertrain. As revealed 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 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 begin later this fall—with its third row and cargo areas now probably not impacted by the Max pack.
That wasn’t initially the case. Earlier on in these vans’ gestation, Rivian had recommended that packaging on Max pack R1S variations can be a bit completely different and forgo the three-row structure.
Rivian has from the beginning used a unique thermal technique than different EV makers—permitting it to bundle extra power into much less house. And it is provided a battery guarantee that beats Tesla and different EVs.
Now it is clear they don’t seem to be finished with these concepts and the longest-range vans might characterize improved thermal engineering. There’s absolutely extra backstory to but to come back.
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with further reporting by Bengt Halvorson
