Are We Ready for the New Rivian R1T All-Electric Truck?
Between car shows and Super Bowl ads, environmentalist think pieces and sensationalist headlines, it would take real work to avoid the ‘great new dawn’ of electric vehicles. But capturing attention and holding it are two very different things. And in order to really get consumers excited about owning an EV, an automaker needs to turn heads—and then keep them there, with open mouths and open wallets. One recent release seems to be doing just that, and with a pickup no less. Have you met the all-electric Rivian R1T?
EVs in the Mainstream
“To make a great electric car, you need a couple things,” says immensely popular tech vlogger and self-proclaimed EV enthusiast, Marques Brownlee. “You need a good design … a good price … great specs. And then, you’ll need what I call ‘convenience.’ These pillars are what you need to compete—and they’re harder than you might think.” Brownlee explains that “convenience” encompasses a few things, namely “mass production, autonomous driving, and a charging network.”
So, does California-born startup, Rivian, have what it takes? Even Tesla, who arguably checks all the boxes, struggled to bring its Model 3 to fruition. Can a seemingly unknown manufacturer, whose flown under the radar for the last decade, enter the mainstream vehicle market with an all-electric pickup? Is America ready to rethink its love affair with trucks?
First Hurdle: DESIGN
There’s no denying this is a good-looking truck. It’s eye-catching but not flashy, and sleek without being creepy electric. Designers were smart: If you want to make revolutionary technology palatable, you need to make it familiar. (A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?) At first look, the Rivian R1T looks like many other trucks on the road. And yet, it also looks like nothing we’ve ever seen before.
And despite how you feel about that emoji-inspired front fascia, it definitely stands out. (It also doubles as a funky charge indicator.)
The Rivian R1T employs a sort of futuristic body-on-frame design, using a “skateboard” chassis wherein all the important and bulky bits sit below the frame of the vehicle. In this case, the platform is 215.5 inches long but with a 136-inch wheelbase, giving it the overall size of something a smidge bigger than a Tacoma. Constructed of aluminum and steel, it sports a curb weight around 5,900 lbs and rocks a nice, boxy appearance reminiscent of many classic off-roaders.
Also evocative of its adventurous forefathers is the easy-to-clean interior.
While the Rivian R1T features lots of modern tech—dual touchscreens with infotainment and navigation services—it wraps everything in simple but tasteful stain-repellent fabrics and sustainable wood trim. It’s more comfortable than luxurious. (As in, you won’t die inside when your toddler spills her sippy cup or the dog hops in with muddy paws.) It does receive bonus points for the panoramic roof, removable in-door flashlights, clever under seat cargo storage, ample seating for five, and cool rear door speakers that actually pop out when it’s time to party.
Where the design really shines, though? CARGO. Since there’s no engine, drivers gain an entire trunk in the front of the vehicle. Unfortunately called a “frunk,” it offers 11.6 cubic feet of storage. Out back, the bed measures a modest 4.6-ft x 4.5-ft, but compensates with a variety of stand-out amenities. A power-folding tailgate, electrically-controlled tonneau cover, fold-out steps, in-bed spare tire access, built-in power converter, integrated gear lock, and remote access to the suspension system’s on-board air compressor—just to name a few.
And because of the Rivian R1T’s unique chassis design, there’s an innovative “gear tunnel” that runs the entire width of the vehicle between the cab and bed, offering 12.4 cubic feet for storing awkward items like golf bags and skis. Even the little door that accesses the tunnel has built-in storage, in addition to operating as a seat and step.
Second Hurdle: SPECS
So, we know the Rivian R1T’s got the looks. But how does it perform? Well, pretty well if the on-paper specs are to be believed. With its eyes set off-road, the R1T sports between 7.9 and 14.2 inches of ground clearance thanks to its on-board air suspension. Its approach, departure, and breakover angles are improved by the longer wheelbase. And its fording depth sits at 39.4 inches, only because the company says after that the vehicle will actually begin to float.
Each wheel is powered by a 147 kW motor producing 197 hp. When choosing the top-tier 180 kW battery, a driver can expect over 750 hp with 826 lb-ft of torque, over 400 miles of range and a 0-60 time of 3.2 SECONDS. (Yes, you read that number correctly.) Additionally, in the top-range model, tow rating is an estimated 11,000 lbs with a payload of 1,750 lbs.
But, as Brownlee also points out, to make a successful and compelling electric vehicle in today’s market, “you need to be a whole software company on top of a car company.” So, wrapping up all this performance is a big red bow of Level 3 Autonomy, thanks to tucked-away LiDAR, radar, GPS, and cameras.
The big question: what will this revolutionary driving experience cost you?
Third Hurdle: PRICE
Well, that’s where things begin to get fuzzy. Rivian claims the all-electric R1T will stay competitive. The company plans to produce the top-level model first, starting in the mid-$80,000s, with the lesser models coming later at price points between $60,000-$70,000. While that’s still out of reach for many Americans, it’s a steal for what’s being offered. (Which is why you’ll find a whole lot of skepticism about that estimated price tag lurking in comment sections across the interwebs.)
If, however, Rivian can deliver on its promise—and it’s worth mentioning the company has a business plan that looks much more mature than most startups—how will this affect the truck market? And more important, how will it affect the aftermarket?
There’s (probably) no cause for alarm.
The simple fact that Rivian has gone to lengths to market the R1T as a luxury adventure vehicle and not a work truck tells us it won’t be disrupting traditional truck markets anytime soon. While the Rivian R1T is very capable, and arguably sports a more proletarian vibe than other concepts, EVs in general seem to be making their entrance through premium/luxury car avenues. As an $80k+ electric off-roader, Rivian’s target demographic is very specific—one that is nestled snugly in the mountains of Aspen, where the automaker recently made some scheduled PR stops.
That being said, every car gets outpaced eventually. It will be interesting to see—assuming Rivian can cut it, that is—if the first-gen R1T will eventually be adopted by off-road and overland enthusiasts seeking a capable vehicle that can be customized into a weekend warrior or off-grid adventure rig. Additionally, even current high-end IC trucks, like the Ford Raptor, get the aftermarket treatment regularly, despite the price tag, so it’s safe to assume niche R1T owners wouldn’t be afraid of a little modification.
The Last Hurdle: Convenience
While price poses a big threat to any manufacturer of any product, a bigger thorn in the lion’s paw is infrastructure. What good is a new technology or service, if people can’t practically use it? While most EV owners charge at home, millions of people across the nation lack a garage or even adequate parking where they live. And wide-spread charging stations are getting there—largely thanks to Tesla—but as more automakers get in the game, are we doomed to a format war like that of iPhone and Android chargers?
Rivian is no doubt aware of this and does seem to be exploring some viable options. Since the R1T (and its SUV sibling, the R1S) are intended to go off-road—far off the beaten path—range anxiety would be a natural concern among consumers. In an interview with Sean Mitchell of All Things EV, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe revealed the company’s intentions to install compatible charging stations at popular parks and resorts, but more interestingly, is its interest in adding auxiliary batteries, “essentially as a digital Jerry can.”
As aftermarket companies like NOCO and REDARC continue to make incredible strides in the world of sustainable charging, it isn’t a particularly long stretch of the imagination to envision the Rivian R1T, and vehicles like it, opening up new doors within the overlanding scene. For those keen on the idea of true self-sufficiency out in the wild, the idea of someday being able to charge your vehicle on sunshine is a pretty exciting prospect. If Rivian can nail the price of the R1T and deliver a reliable auxiliary power supply, we think it’s safe to say we’ll see some big paradigms shifting.
There’s always a price…
Of course, a mainstream Rivian R1T poses other questions—among them, its effect on the automotive aftermarket. Engine, intake, and exhaust upgrades currently make up an enormous chunk of modders’ budgets. Where does that money go on a zero-emissions vehicle?
“Just making it electric, you’re taking out a number of aftermarket modifications,” says Brad DeBerti, professional builder and driver. “I don’t know if I’ll see the day when traditional engines are gone, but at some point, all builders will have to change how they do things. We’ll have to evolve (just like generations before us),” he adds. Fortunately for DeBerti, “I’m inspired by everything—I may like or dislike certain things, but everything inspires me in some way, so I can always find a happy medium,” he says.
Is America ready for the Rivian R1T all-electric truck? You tell us.