Rivian is an all-electric American automaker paving the way toward an electric future through plans to offer a fully electric R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. Amazon has been a major supporter of Rivian in the past and recently invested more capital into the company as part of its $2 billion Climate Pledge initiative. Rivian and Amazon are partnering to build a fleet of electric delivery vehicles that will begin delivering packages in 2022.
But scheduled for delivery first is Rivian’s R1T pickup truck, going head-to-head against a variety of other electric pickup truck models that are racing to be first to market, including the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 EV, and others that promise to revolutionize the segment. Although the first R1T electric pickups and R1S electric SUVs were supposed to begin deliveries in 2020, the coronavirus delayed the timeline until 2021. A former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois is where Rivian R1T trucks will be manufactured.
So far, we know the R1T is will offer a range of up to 400 miles, a 0-to-60 time of about 3 seconds, and the capability to ford water up to three feet deep. A payload rating of 1,764 pounds and a tow rating of just over 11,000 pounds are expected.
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Pros/ Up to 400 miles of range / 0-60 mph in 3 seconds / all-electric
Cons/ Will likely be priced higher than conventional pickups / unknown reliability and quality
Bottom Line/ A strong contender in the new segment of electric pickup trucks
Table of contents
Rivian R1T Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Three different battery packs will be available.
105 kWh battery – 230 miles of range
135 kWh battery – 300 miles of range
180 kWh battery – 400 miles of range
Fast charging capabilities will come standard with every R1T, allowing owners to plug-in the truck at any station using the CCS DC fast charging standard, including fast charge stations operated by Electrify America, Electrify Canada, and IONITY. The truck’s DC fast charging unit will charge at a rate of up to 160kW, which would recharge the truck with another 200 miles of range in about 30 minutes. For AC charging, the onboard AC charging unit will charge at a rate up to 11kW.
Long-term battery life is unknown.
Rivian R1T Features and Pricing
Large displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment are complemented by leather and wood with several roof options including electrochromic glass (which turns from opaque to transparent on demand), a fixed glass panel, a two-piece removable composite roof, and a standard fixed roof.
Behind the cab is a large storage compartment (but in front of the bed) as well as a lockable in-bed compartment. An expandable and collapsible crossbar system allows for mounting gear and cargo over the bed and cabin. Three 110-volt outlets and an air compressor system feature in the bed.
The main infotainment interface uses expandable tiles for individual features such as navigation, media, and climate controls. Instead of submenus, options slide from the tiles. Rivian has not yet announced whether the R1T will offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or an onboard WiFi hotspot.
The R1T will offer a party trick known as “Tank Turn,” allowing the truck to spin in place by using the four independent motors to spin the wheels on each side of the vehicle in opposite directions.
Every R1T will feature a gear tunnel located under the rear seats that can be opened on either side of the vehicle.
Rivian intends to support outfitters aiming to build R1T trucks into adventure vehicles, with plans for a range of camping and other outdoor accessories. Rivian showcased one possibility for the gear tunnel by demonstrating a mobile campsite kitchen housed in the gear tunnel and powered by the truck’s battery pack.
A removable flashlight is built into the door, using the same battery cell as the main battery.
Rivian originally targeted a starting price of $69,000 for the base version of the R1T. Since Rivian’s initial price estimate, the company explained that final pricing will end up lower than anticipated, with $69,000 buying a well-equipped version with the glass sky panel and a range of about 300 miles. After the $7,500 federal tax credit, base models of the R1T could be available for less than $60,000 while top models with all the options may cost more than $90,000.
Rivian R1T Specifications
WHEELBASE: 135.8 in
TRACK (front/rear): 67.3 in
RANGE: Up to 400+ miles
ACCELERATION: 0-60 in 3 seconds
TOTAL POWER: Up to 750 hp
COMBINED MOTOR TORQUE: 829 ft-lb
GEAR TUNNEL VOLUME: 12.4 cu ft
FRONT TRUNK VOLUME: 11.1 cu ft
APPROACH/DEPARTURE ANGLE (off-road mode): 34.8°/ 30.5°
BREAKOVER ANGLE (off-road mode): 25.7º
MAX GROUND CLEARANCE (off-road mode): *Based on 275/65R20 Tire 14.5 in
WATER FORDING (off-road mode): 42.7 in
TOWING CAPACITY: 11,000 lbs
BATTERY: 105 / 135 / 180 kWh
Detailed Specs
| Price Range / | $60,000 (est.) - $90,000 (est.) |
| Battery / | 105, 135, or 180 kWh |
| Range / | Up to 400 miles |
| Power / | Up to 750 hp |
| Towing Capacity / | Up to 11,000 lbs |
Our Final Verdict
The R1T will offer an appealing combination of power, capability, and thoughtful design. Never before has a pickup truck promised a similar package using a fully electric drivetrain.
A range of up to 400 miles, a 0-to-60 time of about 3 seconds, and the capability to ford water up to three feet deep is impressive. A payload rating of 1,764 pounds and a tow rating of approximately 11,000 pounds will fit the needs of many buyers.
But competitors are coming soon, including the highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck.