Exploring the Possibility of Rivian Towing for Infinite Range: Technical Challenges, Practical Considerations and Cost Analysis

Rivian towing a Rivian for infinite range?

Though it may sound like an impossible task, the idea of towing one Rivian with another in order to gain infinite range is not as far-fetched as it seems. It has been observed that regenerative braking can provide more range than the distance travelled, and tests have shown that a Tesla Model 3 gained 3.5 miles in range after being towed over 1.4 miles. This suggests that if you could tow at 30 miles per hour using less than 1 kwh/per mile, then theoretically you would be able to build up range in the towed vehicle via regen.

However, this does not take into account energy losses due to friction and heat, meaning that you will expend more energy than you are able to regenerate. Additionally, considering charge rates at 16 miles per hour, it would not be possible to charge fast enough. Even if you were to use a generator, you'd only be adding 3-4 miles per hour of range.

At this point, there is no data available to support whether or not the regen in place on EV's will be sufficient to generate enough power for this concept to work. Until we know how much range the Rivian loses by actually towing another one, it is difficult to say whether or not this is possible. Nevertheless, the test results from the Tesla suggest that it may be worth exploring further.

In addition to the technical challenges, there are also practical considerations. For example, it would be difficult to find a place where you could tow two Rivians at 30 miles per hour for an extended period of time without running into legal issues. Additionally, if one vehicle were to break down while being towed by another, then both vehicles would need to be recovered and repaired before they can continue their journey.

Finally, even if this concept is technically feasible and legally permissible in certain areas, it may not make sense from a cost perspective due to the additional energy required for charging and regen braking. It's possible that the extra costs associated with this setup could outweigh any potential benefits gained from having infinite range capabilities on your EV fleet.

At present we cannot say definitively whether or not Rivian will ever offer such an option as part of its product lineup; however given recent developments in regenerative braking technology combined with advances in battery storage capacity it is certainly something worth exploring further!