Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has been facing production delays that have led to a 90% drop in its stock value since its IPO. The production holdups were primarily attributed to issues with the complex Bosch motors used in the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV, which are fitted with numerous semiconductor chips. To address these concerns, Rivian has developed its own simplified in-house motor, named “Enduro,” that it hopes will help reduce delays and improve production efficiency.
The new Enduro motor uses fewer semiconductors, and is currently being introduced to Rivian’s Amazon delivery vehicles. The company is aiming to introduce it to consumer vehicles later this year. According to Claire McDonough, Rivian’s CFO, the ramp up of Enduro is going according to schedule, and the motor will be offered in two configurations of the R1T and R1S vehicles. The standard model will produce 600 horsepower, while the second configuration will provide 700 horsepower thanks to a software upgrade.
Rivian will also continue to offer a quad-motor option, with drive units provided by Bosch, that will make 835 horsepower. However, the automaker previously announced that the powertrain won’t be available with the max battery pack anymore. Owners who want the most motors will have to settle for 321 miles (517 km) of range. Those who opt for the dual-motor option will be able to go up to 400 miles (644 km), meanwhile.
The introduction of the Enduro motor is part of Rivian’s efforts to speed up production and reduce its backlog of orders. In addition to the motor, the company has also developed its own audio system to encourage vertical integration. Rivian is targeting the production of 50,000 vehicles this year, a considerable increase from the number it produced in 2022.
As McDonough explained earlier this year, “One of the key mitigation tools that we have at our disposal is the introduction and the ramp of the Enduro drive unit this year, which unlocks a new secondary supply base of our power semiconductors within the plant.” Rivian hopes that the introduction of Enduro will help it address the supply chain issues that have been causing production delays and help the company meet its production targets for the year.
Rivian’s move to develop its own in-house motor and offer a quad-motor option is an example of how EV manufacturers are trying to address the challenges that come with developing cutting-edge technology in a rapidly evolving industry.
As the industry matures, manufacturers will need to continue to innovate and find new solutions to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the speed of production. Rivian’s efforts to develop its own motor with up to 700 horsepower and offer a quad-motor option with up to 835 horsepower are just some of the ways companies are rising to this challenge.
