Extend the Range of Your R1T Electric Truck with Rivian’s Auxiliary Battery Pack
Rivian is working on an auxiliary battery pack for their R1T electric truck. This would be a huge development, as it would solve many range and towing problems. The packs are still in the patent stage and not available yet, but they may eventually show up as modular or one large pack. There could also be aftermarket options that slide into the bed like a truck toolbox or fit into the Gear Tunnel. Weight shouldn't be too much of an issue either, as long as it's around 200 lbs. This could open up the market for third party battery packs, driving down costs and making V2H charging easier. It looks like this could be a great way to extend the range of your R1T electric truck.
Electric vehicles have been gaining popularity over the last few years thanks to their environmental benefits and cost savings. However, one common complaint about electric vehicles has been their limited range compared to traditional gas-powered cars. Fortunately, Rivian is looking to address this problem with its new auxiliary battery pack for the R1T electric truck.
This battery pack would allow drivers to increase their range significantly without needing to stop and charge along the way. Drivers could even take advantage of V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) charging by plugging into wall chargers when away from home. The packs are still in the patent stage, so we don’t know exactly what form they will take when released. They could come as modular packs or one large pack, depending on customer needs.
The weight of these packs shouldn’t be too much of an issue either, as long as it stays around 200 lbs. This opens up the possibility of third-party battery packs being developed, which could drive down costs and make V2H charging more accessible. Installing them should be relatively easy; they can simply slide into the bed like a truck toolbox or fit into the Gear Tunnel.
Overall, this looks like a great option for anyone who wants to extend the range of their R1T electric truck. While we don’t know exactly when these auxiliary battery packs will become available, they certainly seem like a promising development in the world of electric vehicles.
What is the auxiliary battery pack for the R1T?
It is a lower capacity battery pack that can be dropped into the R1T for long drives. It can then be removed when at home to save on weight.
Will there be third party battery packs available?
There have been mentions of them, but they are just a patent and not available yet.
How will an owner load and unload the auxiliary battery from the truck bed?
It may be possible to do an aftermarket battery pack that slides into the bed like a truck tool box or in the Gear Tunnel since that is also a waterproof space. A pully system to the ceiling may also work.
Is the auxiliary battery going to be very heavy?
Weight shouldn't be that big of an issue, so long as it's around 200 lbs.
What about V2V charging and V2H options?
V2V and V2H are likely to show up at some point, given that Ford is doing something along those lines, but don't hold your breath for removable batteries.
What about conditioning?
Conditioning may be tricky though! It may be a good time to do any conditioning when plugged into the wall charger to charge while out.
What about charging times?
Charging times will depend on the power of the charger and the capacity of the battery. Generally, it should take around 8-10 hours to charge a 200-kWh battery from 0-100%.
How will the auxiliary battery be secured in the truck bed?
It may be possible to secure the battery with straps or some kind of locking mechanism. It's also possible that Rivian could come up with a custom solution for this.
Will there be any safety features built into the auxiliary battery pack?
Yes, there are likely to be safety features built into the battery pack, such as temperature sensors and overcharge protection. This is to ensure that the battery doesn't overheat or get damaged due to overcharging.