Category: Rivian

Jul 12

Some Rivian R1T And R1S Units Unable To Charge On AC Due To Faulty Onboard Charger

Rivian has started a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the onboard charger on some R1T all-electric pickups and R1S zero-emissions SUVs because they may have been shipped with a faulty component that disables AC charging, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The bulletin, which was spotted by the Rivian Forums user Bael, states that some R1S and R1T vehicles manufactured between December 2022 and March 2023 may be equipped with the faulty onboard charger and that DC fast charging is still functional on affected units.

In other words, vehicles that have this issue can’t be recharged with a Level 1 (120 volts) or Level 2 (240 volts) charger, but plugging into a DC fast charger, which bypasses the onboard charger, will still put juice in the battery.

It’s worth noting that this is not a recall. Here’s the campaign’s description, as per the NHTSA document:

“Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2022-2023 R1S and R1T vehicles that may have been built with an onboard charger that cannot charge on alternating current (AC). The part supplier shipped onboard chargers that were built with a faulty component. Though AC charging may be disabled in these vehicles, direct current (DC) fast charging is still functional. Rivian will replace the onboard charger. Rivian is launching this campaign for customer satisfaction and to ensure the quality of Rivian vehicles.”

We got in touch with Rivian to find out how many vehicles are potentially affected by this issue and we’ll update this article when we get a comment from the EV maker.

A possible fix for owners who are experiencing problems while charging at home is to lower the input amperage to 40 amps or 32 amps and then try again, according to Rivian Forum users who came across the issue.

The R1T and R1S are equipped with a 48-amp onboard charger that can deliver up to 11.5 kilowatts of power when the mobile charger is plugged into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, adding roughly 25 miles of range per hour.

As our own Tom Moloughney found out, charging a Rivian R1T can also be done at 40 amps, which translates into 9.6 kW of power and adds about 20 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 charger connected to a 32-amp circuit reduces the power to 7.7 kW and adds about 15 miles of range per hour.

Charging from a 120-volt, 12-amp outlet (Level 1, 1.4 kW), the all-electric pickup will gain just 2-3 miles of range in one hour. At the same time, the R1T can accept up to 220 kW from a DC fast charger, which can increase the battery’s state of charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

As always, we’d like to know what you think about this: have you experienced this issue, and if so, what worked for you? Scroll down to the comments section and give us your thoughts.

Jul 11

Rivian Stock Surges Nearly 90% in Two Weeks Amid Optimism and Short-Covering

Rivian’s Recent Performance Boost

Rivian Automotive, which made headlines with a blockbuster IPO in November 2021, saw its stock plummet to a low of $12.04 by April 2023 due to ongoing production and supply challenges. However, recent developments have sparked a dramatic turnaround. Rivian reported record-breaking Q2 2023 results, including 13,992 vehicles produced and 12,640 deliveries, and reaffirmed its annual production target of 50,000 units. This announcement has fueled a remarkable 90 percent surge in Rivian’s stock price over the past two weeks, closing at $25.51—almost doubling its price from late June.

Factors Driving the Stock’s Recovery

The stock’s recovery is bolstered not only by Rivian’s reaffirmed production goals but also by increased investor confidence and strategic short-covering. Wedbush Securities raised its price target for Rivian to $30, citing a positive shift in production outlook. Additionally, short interest in Rivian stands at 12.34% of the float, contributing to the stock’s rise as investors covering their short positions buy back shares. Enhanced options trading, including the purchase of “super short-dated calls,” has further driven up the stock’s value, reflecting growing optimism about Rivian’s future performance.

Jul 11

Rivian Set To Open First Canadian ‘Spaces’ Showroom On July 28

Rivian will open its first ‘Spaces’ showroom in Canada on July 28. The showroom will be located at The Amazing Brentwood shopping mall in Burnaby, Vancouver.

This year Rivian is focused on upping its physical retail presence, with the majority of the buying experience taking place online up until now. The first Rivian Space was opened in downtown New York last month. Each Space aims to offer the consumer a casual experience with no hard selling.

All Rivian Spaces will be somewhat unique. For example, a planned Space in Austin, Texas will have a rooftop patio and green area. Meanwhile, another Rivian Space in Laguna Beach, California will be built out of an old theater.

The Burnaby, Vancouver Rivian Space will be the first to have augmented reality, allowing customers to visualize their individual configurations.

Rivian’s two current models, the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, will be joined by a couple more affordable ‘R2’ options soon. The R2 lineup will be unveiled in full next year and will likely consist of a crossover and Ford Maverick-sized pickup truck.

Prices for Rivian’s R2 vehicles are expected to range from $40,000 to $60,000. This represents a significant decrease from the $70,000 to $100,000 price bracket the R1T and R1S fall under.

On top of upping its retail presence, Rivian is working hard on providing its customers with plentiful access to fast charging. The Rivian Adventure Network aims to cover lots of remote areas in North America, with the first three sites opening up last year. Meanwhile, a new deal with Tesla will give Rivian customers full access to the EV pioneer’s 12,000+ Superchargers from 2024 onwards.

Jul 11

Rivian R1T vs. Ford Explorer ST: All-American Drag Race Highlights

A Battle of Power and Performance

In a captivating drag race that pits electric innovation against traditional power, the Rivian R1T electric pickup takes on the Ford Explorer ST SUV. This race deviates from the usual high-stakes EV vs. supercar matchups, showcasing the Rivian’s impressive quad-motor setup with 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque, against the Explorer ST’s 400-horsepower EcoBoost V6. Both vehicles hail from the same state, with Rivian’s factory in Normal, Illinois, and Ford’s production in Chicago, adding a local touch to this exciting competition.

Speed and Specifications on Display

The Rivian R1T, with its hefty 8,532-pound frame, contrasts sharply with the Explorer ST’s lighter 4,345-pound build, creating a dynamic race between electric and gas-powered performance. Despite its weight, the R1T’s advanced powertrain, indicated by its yellow brake calipers, suggests it’s the high-performance variant, poised to dominate. The Ford Explorer ST, equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive, offers robust performance but may struggle against the Rivian’s superior torque and power in this all-American drag showdown.