Help. Why not the Rivian?

[Fleetwood75]

This is actually something that I saw as a silver lining when we didn't get the 500 mile Cybertruck. The 500 mile Cybertruck was almost certainly going to be a 200kwh battery, or maybe even bigger. That 200kwh battery on a roadtrip is going to increase the time it takes the charge at each stop. This would be annoying when you get a 150kwh charger or even get stuck with slower public chargers.

To me the philosophy of a 200 kWh battery pack is that it gives you enough juice to drive all day so that you don’t need to stop at a supercharger at all unless you’re towing. So the charging time doesn’t matter because after driving 500 miles you’ll stay someplace with a Level 2 charger and let it fill up all night

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[OnTheSnap]

Don’t forget that the Foundation CTs have the all terrain tires. You can downgrade to the all seasons and gain another 10-15% in range. This should put it on par with the Rivian range.

 

[Woodrick]

To me the philosophy of a 200 kWh battery pack is that it gives you enough juice to drive all day so that you don’t need to stop at a supercharger at all unless you’re towing. So the charging time doesn’t matter because after driving 500 miles you’ll stay someplace with a Level 2 charger and let it fill up all night

Sitting in a seat for that long is unhealthy.

 

[Fleetwood75]

Sitting in a seat for that long is unhealthy.

I didn’t say drive 500 miles without stopping, I said drive 500 miles without Supercharging. I agree nobody wants to drive 500 miles nonstop

 

[Sirfun]

Ryan owns an R1T and this video tells you why the Cybertruck over the R1T. Check out at 13:00 He's blown away at the handling and steer by wire.

 

[VDR]

I’m an early reservation holder, around 50k. Live in Connecticut so nowhere close to CA or TX. I’ve been a happy waiter, like so many. Have a model Y, have a couple power walls and a solar array. So I get it, mostly.

And I watch these threads closely. But with low range expectations and our needs, I’m struggling to justify the cost and tradeoffs of the CT. ?

As big skiers, we drive to Vermont most weekends all winter. 180 miles each way. Temps can can be low, 5 degrees not uncommon, and 10 below some mornings is not uncommon. And a lot of weekends, we are plunging far deeper to remote parts of Vermont for ski races. Elevation change from about 500 ft to 2,200 for most trips.

We’ve got a garage and home charger at both ends of trip.

Charging infrastructure in VT (and CT too) is really quite limited at this point. If you’re happy with slow crowded charging stations (if working) that a few generous ski hills have put up, I suppose things are workable. But barely.

So really, range and infrastructure is a huge issue for me. 400 to 500 miles as promised was keeping me on list and prevented me from going another way. I really do feel misled, like so many.

I’ve read all about pending revised 4680 chemistry and perhaps 10% to 20% longer range coming soon.
But jeez, if my order comes up (maybe any day now) I’m really debating taking a pass and pulling trigger on Rivian.

Out of Spec tests have everyone’s attention, and while not perfect, what else do we have to go on?

facts:

250 miles for CT, 290 for Rivian.

135kWh pack in R1T vs 120kWh pack in CT

2.2 miles/kwh R1T DM AT tires (34”)
Vs
2.0 miles/kwh CT AT tires (35”)


What am I missing?

It is quite unfortunate that you did not reserve the Rivian early as well as you would have been driving it for your second winter now.
I reserved both early & the max range on both have been a major letdown.
You quoted the Rivian at 290 but that was in Conserve mode with the A/T tires. I personally would not have it in conserve for winter driving unless the roads were clear.
The Rivian Dual Motor got 317mi/340mi (max pack) on 21" under similar conditions of the CT test.
The CT will do better with a smaller A/W tire & should be much less prone to dents (not scratches) in the ski lots though I did see a very small crease (& scratches) on the CT in the showroom.
It looks like you can expect a .2-.3 mi/kwh improvement on the Rivian vs the CT under similar conditions with the Rivian being better as speeds increase.
Both brands blew it on the max range models but Rivian gets the win on range & both are opening SC network to the others soon enough.
Who know if/when the range extender is coming out for the CT if that is even a prion for you, Rivian actually has the patent on the Range Extender.

 

[Outdoors]

The RivIan headlights are at least distinctive.

pretty funny to watch a bunch a bunch of Cybertruck stans throw shade at other vehicles‘ appearance

Shade. What one doesn't personally like. Wow guess we are getting serious now.

 

[scottf200]

For me it is the Dyson hairdryer headlights. Just can't

I also can't get over this. Don't know why they had to do that

The irony is dripping here since we are on a triangle truck forum.

 

[dandor]

If you live in a cold climate and need to drive 500 miles for road trips, the Cybertruck and Rivian (even with max battery pack) will be a PITA. Just get a gas powered truck until technology gets better and the charging infrastructure is ready for your needs. Here in California the Cybertruck will meet all my needs with long road trips, less than 100 mile round trip tow trips, and charging every where I need it.

I understand people are upset about the truck not meeting your needs based on the hype information in 2019, but we are still in the infancy of EV technology and infrastructure. In 5/10 years all your needs will be met. For now, just don't buy and let me get my VIN quicker.

 

[dandor]

To me the philosophy of a 200 kWh battery pack is that it gives you enough juice to drive all day so that you don’t need to stop at a supercharger at all unless you’re towing. So the charging time doesn’t matter because after driving 500 miles you’ll stay someplace with a Level 2 charger and let it fill up all night

The reason for a 200 kWh is to accommodate drivers that tow long distances, drive in colder climates, and states with poor charging infrastructure. If you live in a state with warm weather and don't tow, the 120ish kWh battery is perfect.

EV's struggle in cold climates and I wouldn't buy one until things change. Batteries have lower capacity in cold weather, discharge faster, and heating a cabin draws a lot of energy. You also have a higher density air to drive through, charging speeds are diminished, and even the drop of PSI in your tires will hurt range. 200 kWh is a necessity in cold climates.

We are hearing about all the range issues now because the Cybertruck was released during the coldest time of the year. If the truck was released during the summer we would all be saying how awesome the range is.

 

[VDR]

We are hearing about all the range issues now because the Cybertruck was released during the coldest time of the year. If the truck was released during the summer we would all be saying how awesome the range is. Sponsored

Many would say that 45F is not cold (still a ways from freezing), the truck was preconditioned and the operating temp would have been decent. Put more efficient tires on it and it would have done better but the pack is still (far?) too small for many use cases.
The other brand did 317/340miles to 0% under very similar conditions other than air density one week earlier. A side by side test would have been better.

 

[Outdoors]

The issue with threads such as these. Some want to be super serious. Others are saying exactly what they think at the moment. Maybe more blunt, or encompassing the entire product that Rivian offers in one sentence.

For one I don't like Rivian's business practices.
Current public charging options
CEO

I could go on, yet can summarize with:

I don't like the Dyson headlight.

 

[Outdoors]

EV's struggle in cold climates and I wouldn't buy one until things change. Batteries have lower capacity in cold weather, discharge faster, and heating a cabin draws a lot of energy. You also have a higher density air to drive through, charging speeds are diminished, and even the drop of PSI in your tires will hurt range. 200 kWh is a necessity in cold climates.

We are hearing about all the range issues now because the Cybertruck was released during the coldest time of the year. If the truck was released during the summer we would all be saying how awesome the range is.

Wow your tune has changed. Now you wouldn't suggest anyone buy an EV in cold climates until things change. Your thoughts change as the wind blows. Sorry many people have been owning EV's for the last decade plus up here with no problems. Maybe the media is the problem, sounds like you are bending now.

There are plenty of Tesla owners in Winnipeg that would disagree with you.

EV's work plenty fine in the winter. Stop spreading fear.

 

[dandor]

Many would say that 46F is not cold (still a ways from freezing), the truck was preconditioned and the operating temp would have been decent. Put more efficient tires on it and it would have done better but the pack is still (far?) too small for many use cases.
The other brand did 317/340miles to 0% under very similar conditions one week earlier.

Batteries struggle even at 45 Fahrenheit. Tesla won't warm the battery up much from that temperature, if at all. If you are in Canada, the battery is too small for you. In California it is perfectly fine.

 

[Woodrick]

I didn’t say drive 500 miles without stopping, I said drive 500 miles without Supercharging. I agree nobody wants to drive 500 miles nonstop

It should be similar to your Model X.

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