The Rivian R1T
We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first all-electric pickup trucks on the market. The electric car market hasn’t grown as quickly as many predicted and has remained stable at just about 2% of total sales for several years. At the same time, electric vehicles were featured in nearly half of the Super Bowl commercials in 2020. This demonstrates that automakers are fully committed to the electric vehicle sector. Pickups are America’s best-selling vehicles, so expect a swarm of all-electric trucks to hit dealerships in the next months and years. Here are some things you need to know about the Rivian R1T.
Ford is working on an electric version of the F-150, GMC is working on something, Tesla is making waves with its prototype, and a few startups, notably Rivian, are preparing to launch.
Rivian presently does not have any vehicles in production. Nonetheless, it has received significant funding from Ford Motor Company and Cox Automotive, as well as an order for 100,000 electric delivery trucks from Amazon. Rivian plans to offer two electric vehicles for the consumer market soon, and anticipation is great. The R1S, an all-electric SUV, and the R1T, an all-electric truck, are the two models. The following contains information about the Rivian R1T Pickup Truck.
So, here are some of the facts that you must know about the Rivian R1T Pickup Truck. Let’s get right to it!
The Facts
The Big Four
The addition of an electric motor to each wheel provides more than merely an all-wheel-drive system. The R1T will have genuine torque vectoring thanks to software and sensors, as each wheel may be controlled separately. The left and right wheels can be spun in opposite directions in theory, but in practice, this means the outside wheels can spin faster while the inside wheels slow down to facilitate cornering.
It also implies that the traction control software will be able to govern how each wheel spins in slick conditions independently. If the R1T and the SUV both go into production at the same time, they will be the first mass-market electric vehicles with four electric motors.
Off-Road Monster
The independently working electric motors on each corner will be a huge issue for off-roading, but it also has every one of the components needed to be a successful off-roader. It will have a 34-degree approach angle, which is comparable to the 38-degree approach angle of the new Land Rover Defender. In off-road mode, the vehicle has a break-over angle of 26 degrees, compared to 24.2 degrees for the new Defender. The R1T boasts a 14.1-inch off-road ground clearance and can wade up to 39 inches in water, whereas the new Defender can only wade 35.4 inches.
American Built
Rivian has locations in the United States and the United Kingdom, although its manufacturing plant is in Illinois. The business bought a Mitsubishi-owned plant in Normal, Illinois, where it aims to construct the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, as well as the 100,000 electric delivery vans Amazon ordered. On-site permits for a battery assembly and cell storage facility have also been obtained.
Rivian now employs 225 employees at the plant, with that number expected to rise as production approaches. Mitsubishi employed 3,000 employees at the facility at its peak, and Rivian is considering tax benefits and credits for recruiting locals.
Easy Air Supply
You’re out in the wild, and your tire is deflated. You must restore full speed to those wheels as soon as feasible. Most individuals wouldn’t have thought to bring a tire compressor with them. R1T owners, on the other hand, already have one.
The electric truck’s back bed features a built-in tire compressor with a 20-foot hose. That means it can reach all four tires and give up to 150 psi, as well as having a built-in digital pressure indicator and a universal quick attach nozzle. You won’t have to fumble around looking for it or putting it up because it’s part of the truck, so you’ll be back on the road in no time.
Hidden Storage Everywhere
Trucks already have plenty of storage, but the Rivian R1T takes it to the next level. The internal mechanics of this EV, like many others, take up less room than a gasoline-powered vehicle, resulting in a more spacious interior. It also refers to a plethora of secret storage chambers in the R1T. We’re not talking about the frunk under the hood.
The Rivian R1T also contains a concealed storage room beneath the rear bed (assuming you don’t have a spare tire), a gear tunnel just in front of the rear wheels, and compartments beneath the front seats and within the back seats.
Oh, and a concealed chamber beneath the armrest allows someone in the back to access the gear tunnel. If you need to conceal something in your vehicle, the R1T has plenty of places to do so.
Gear Guard Security System
Truck beds are convenient for transporting items, but they are not very secure. What’s to keep someone from stealing your groceries from the back of your car while you’re stuck at a traffic light? That’s the Gear Guard Camera System. The five embedded cameras around the truck may not prevent theft per se, but they can capture the perpetrator.
Simply wrap the Gear Guard cable around your belongings, and anyone who tugs on it will become the star of their own reality TV program. There’s also an old-fashioned alarm, which should deter all but the most daring of robbers.
The Controversial Part
While the front of the Rivian R1T is probably the most divisive piece of the design, it does have some excellent features. For example, while the car is topping off the batteries, the big lightbar between the primary headlights serves as a visual charging signal.
Simply look at the front light instead of digging out your smartphone and opening the app to see how charged up the battery is. It starts off red, then goes through a charging animation before changing to green, indicating that the truck is ready to roll.
The Flashlight
A flashlight is essential for any outdoor trip, which is why one comes standard with the Rivian R1T; however, rather than rattling about in the glovebox or all those storage compartments, this one is simply stowed inside the door.
This way, you won’t have to go looking for the flashlight when you really need it. That is, assuming you remember to put it back when you’re through. The flashlight offers a brightness of 1,000 lumens. Which should be plenty for any chores you may need to do after dark.
Camp Speaker
The Rivian R1T features a nice little gadget for you if the torch isn’t enough or you need something that generates light over a larger region. The wireless Camp Speaker, which connects through Bluetooth and functions as a lantern, is hidden beneath the center console. Which will be ideal for all of the camping vacations and outdoor experiences you’ll want to embark on with this truck.
It’s not a powerful lantern, but it does give off a cozy campfire glow. Which is exactly what you need when you’re out in nature. There’s 6.5-hour battery life and charging is done by USB-C or the wireless charger in the speaker’s cradle. What’s the best part? The speaker can also be used as an extension of the R1Meridian T’s sound system is playing music.
Tank Turn
While Rivian has been mentioning this functionality since 2018, many people are unaware that it exists. The Rivian R1T has a party trick, similar to the new Hummer EV’s crab walk mode. On one side of the vehicle, the motors and wheels spin forward, while on the other side, the wheels and motors spin backward. As a result, it can turn 360 degrees while standing motionless.
Consider going offroading and becoming stranded at an obstacle you can’t clear, with no easy way to turn back. Simply activate the tank turn, crank the wheels, and rotate the car till it faces the opposite direction. It may appear to be one of those novelty features designed to attract attention. It will undoubtedly help you escape difficult circumstances.
Carabiner Key Fob
It’s a little feature, but one nonetheless. Most cars now have a touch start button, so all you’ll get is a key fob for unlocking doors and the like. The Rivian R1T fob is a robust aluminum carabiner, not your usual boring key fob. You can hook it to your go-bag or attach it to a belt loop or water bottle to keep it safe.
A carabiner is also easier to detach from a keychain and hand to someone than a traditional keyring. Which might cause fingernail damage. Rivian also claims that the key fob is waterproof, so it’ll keep up with your outdoor escapades just as well as the truck.
Final Thoughts
These are just a handful of the many wonderful and innovative characteristics of the United States’ first true electric vehicle. You most likely want one by now. However, because the corporation needs to fill over 80,000 reservations, inventories will likely be limited for the next 12-18 months. Good luck in your search.
