Newly obtained official documents filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shed light on the real-world testing results of the Rivian R1S Dual Motor with the ‘Large' battery pack. These findings confirm that the automaker's previous range predictions were largely accurate. Here's a breakdown of the EPA's discoveries.
The disclosed figures, sourced from an EPA document shared on RivianForums, revolve around the EPA's assessment of the R1S model. Each assessment involved the utilization of the dual-motor configuration in conjunction with a substantial 135 kWh battery pack. An R1S variant equipped with 20-inch wheels demonstrated an adjusted range of 305.79 miles (492.12 km).
Meanwhile, an R1S fitted with 21-inch wheels achieved an adjusted range of 348 miles (560 km), and a model equipped with 22-inch wheels yielded an impressive figure of 352 miles (566 km). Notably, these final two figures exceeded Rivian's initial prediction of 340 miles (547 km). It's worth mentioning that the R1S with 20-inch wheels was equipped with all-terrain tires, which accounted for its slightly lower range.
When equipped with the same battery pack but a quad-motor setup, the R1S obtained an EPA rating of 321 miles (516 km). Consequently, opting for the dual motor increased the range by just under 10 percent. However, it is essential to consider that this tradeoff entails a loss of approximately 135 horsepower and some of the inherent capabilities offered by quad-motor technology. According to the disclosed documents, all three tested vehicles boasted a rating of 708 horsepower (527 kW), while the quad-motor R1S showcased a higher rating of 835 horsepower (622).
For those users who require the additional range, sacrificing some power might not be too significant. After all, 708 horsepower is by no means insignificant, and an extra ten-ish percent increase in range is certainly noteworthy. Commenters in the Rivian forum shared mixed opinions regarding the Dual Motor's range revelation. One comment expressed mild disappointment, stating, “Rivian never claimed a significant increase, but I still expected a slightly larger improvement with the dual motor.”
Another commenter raised the question of whether the new Enduro motors are not particularly efficient, suggesting a potential efficiency concern. However, not everyone shared these sentiments. Some commenters highlighted the achievement of the 22-inch wheels, which managed to attain an impressive range of 340 miles. Now, we eagerly await the unveiling of the newly released Max Pack to see how it performs in real-world conditions.
In conclusion, the EPA's evaluation of the Rivian R1S Dual Motor with the ‘Large' battery pack has validated the automaker's range predictions, unveiling notable differences based on wheel size and motor configuration. These findings provide valuable insights for prospective Rivian customers seeking a balance between range and power, while also fueling anticipation for the performance of the recently launched Max Pack.
