Rivian's R1T Passes World's Toughest Towing Test with Flying Colors - Excellent Electric Pickup for Unrivaled Efficiency
Rivian's R1T has been put through the world's toughest towing test, and it passed with flying colors. The electric pickup truck was able to tow 8,500 lbs up a 6% grade at 60 mph in winter conditions. It also features an impressive platform that is stable, quick and problem free when towing. The built-in trailer brake controller and the ability to use a WD hitch are great benefits.
The range of the R1T isn't bad considering elevation changes, trailer weight and climate. However, a larger battery pack would be beneficial. Additionally, its payload capacity is still an issue for larger RV’s, especially when adding the larger battery.
One response from someone who visited the Rivian plant and drove the R1T indicates that the charge rate is currently software limited but there are plans for it to get better. As for why they only obtained 2% regen during the decent portion of the test, it appears that they had not selected max regen and set it at 5/10 instead.
To put things into perspective, one gallon of gas contains 33.7 kWh of energy while the R1T's 135kWh battery is equivalent to 4 gallons of gasoline. This means that 314mi of range can be achieved with just 4 gallons of gas - something that wouldn't even make it close with a V8 pickup truck or any other ICE vehicle.
Though they kept their review similar as with all previous vehicles/trucks tested, this time around they could have avoided being so aggressive in accelerating which resulted in them losing some range on the test route. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see how fuel consumption compares between the R1T and other ICE vehicles if they were to do the same test route.
Overall, Rivian has engineered an amazing electric pickup truck that performs exceptionally well under tough conditions. Its efficiency in using energy makes it stand out among other vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE).
What is the performance of the Rivian pickup?
The Rivian pickup has a stable, quick and problem-free platform. It also has a built-in trailer brake controller that integrates with the steering wheel, as well as the ability to use a WD hitch. The range is not bad considering elevation changes, trailer weight and climate, but a larger battery pack may be necessary.
Is the charge rate software limited?
Yes, it is currently software limited, and there are plans for it to improve.
Why did they only obtain 2% regen during the decent portion of the test?
They had it set at 5/10, so they may have not selected max regen.
What does 1 gallon of gas equate to in terms of kWh?
One gallon of gas equates to 33.7kWh.
How efficient are these trucks compared to other vehicles?
These trucks are incredibly efficient - 314mi of range of a heavy vehicle for 4 gallons of gas. This is much more than what you would get from a smaller 4-banger Subaru Baja.
Is there any video that touches on the 33.7kwh of a gallon of gas?
Yes, there is a video on their Youtube channel that touches on this topic.
What would be the results for the same towing test using an ICE?
The drop in gas mileage going up would be pretty dramatic due to braking and down shifting going down. There are videos on their Youtube channel that demonstrate this with other gas and diesel trucks.
Is it misleading to compare gasoline energy density with EVs?
No, it is not misleading because energy is energy and it allows us to compare fairly among different energy delivery systems. It also highlights how inefficient ICE systems are at using the massive amount of energy stored in gasoline.
What other tests have been conducted on the Rivian pickup?
The Rivian pickup has been tested in a variety of conditions, including off-road testing, towing tests, and range tests. It has also been tested for acceleration, braking, and handling.
How does the Rivian pickup compare to other vehicles in terms of towing capacity?
The Rivian pickup has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000lbs, which is more than most other vehicles in its class. This makes it ideal for hauling heavy loads or towing large trailers.