R2 vs Model Y 70-MPH Highway Range Test (by Out of Spec)

[Jeremy3292]

I think we should state every few pages as a reminder that the range is likely between 2.8 and 3.2 miles per kWh depending on outside conditions at 70mph. This was just one test and Tom did a test and got 3 MPK on the 20" AT wheels. Highly conditions dependent. I also don't think it's a coincidence that the default MPK on the R2 efficiency screen is 3 MPK and the graph goes above and below that default baseline as you drive. So it seems Rivian is expecting 3 MPK as the reasonable baseline when people drive.

2.8 x 89 = 249 miles
2.9 x 89 = 258 miles
3.0 x 89 = 267 miles
3.1 x 89 = 276 miles
3.2 x 89 = 285 miles

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[R24U]

It would be incredibly helpful if that driving range could be extended further.

Totally agree. I have a round trip like that but not quite as long. In the winter it could be a close call if I didn't stop to charge and there are currently no level 3 chargers on that route.

 

[Rivian Roamer]

That particular R2 was configured with the 20s. (They swapped in 21s for testing). If that particular vehicle is part of Rivianroamer's stats, it's probably misidentified as having the 20s it was factory configured with. That might affect the current stats.

it’s not misidentified. There are roll up stats based on the session level. Each session has its own config. It’s not at the vehicle level.

 

[iamnid]

If we are doing a 100% highway test, I'd also like to see a 100% city driving test. Then at least we would have ALL the information, not just cherry picked data.

Who's cherry picking data? It's a highway test.

 

[Zorg]

My immediate reaction yesterday was pretty severe disappointment, but having slept on it I think what I'm most disappointed in is not the car itself but Rivian trading on vastly overinflated efficiency and range numbers, instead of just being honest about the range. RJ is in many interviews bragging about efficiency numbers that just don't match reality. This has impacted a lot of things, including ABRP that has the stock R2 performance reference consumption at something like ~3.34 mi/kWh instead of the ~2.88 mi/kWh from this test.

I already left one brand that had a CEO always over-promising and bending the truth, and I'm just frustrated seeing RJ doing the same. I'm still buying the car, as this won't realistically impact my trips at all as I'll stop for the same charging stops. I just won't be likely to attempt my ~240 mi regular trip without charging like I can in my R1T.

Mostly disappointed in RJ. He already lied about Driver+ capabilities. If he doesn't deliver on his PTP promises, he will have lost all credibility.

 

[Apprunner]

If we are doing a 100% highway test, I'd also like to see a 100% city driving test. Then at least we would have ALL the information, not just cherry picked data.

They also did a test at various speeds and a city driving simulation. It never got close to EPA ratings and was about 20% worse than Model Y at almost every speed.

 

[Holler Wanderer]

I guess I'm puzzled why anyone is surprised by this. It was pretty obvious when they came out with the 330 mile range that the shape of the R2 would not allow for 3.7 mwh on the highway. I was saying this from the start.

 

[thomasoris]

Who's cherry picking data? It's a highway test.

Do a highway test, then do a city test, then show all the data. Also do more than one test. Coming from a business standpoint, we do multiple tests in order to obtain data to make determinations, not just one.

 

[Apprunner]

Do a highway test, then do a city test, then show all the data. Also do more than one test. Coming from a business standpoint, we do multiple tests in order to obtain data to make determinations, not just one.

They did. In their other video. R2 was just as inefficient at all speeds. It is what it is.

 

[lordsutch]

What's the SOC most are generally using on a road trip? If you're not going to go above 80% because of charge speeds then how low are people dropping to?

On my ID.4 and when I've had rental Hyundai EVs, I've typically planned for 5-10% at the bottom and a max of 80% in ABRP unless charger spacing (or limited backup options) requires a different choice. I think if you only plan for 15-20% you're missing some of the best part of the charge curve on most EVs. Occasionally I'll go over 80% if charging is relatively cheap and it lets me skip a stop or have a longer meal.

If I had an EV where max speed substantially dropped off before 5-10% I'd probably avoid going that low but I haven't seen that on my ID.4 at least.

 

[iamnid]

Do a highway test, then do a city test, then show all the data. Also do more than one test. Coming from a business standpoint, we do multiple tests in order to obtain data to make determinations, not just one.

They're youtubers -- they don't have to do anything. Out of spec has a series of tests they run - 10% challenge, charging test, highway range test.

Personally, an around town range test is irrelevant -- I'm never going to drive 250-300+ miles around town in one go -- not to mention how many hours it would take to accomplish such a test.

Range is only relevant for road trips. For around town, a vehicle with a range of 70 miles would probably be enough for most people because they can charge at home each night if needed.

 

[Mos Eisley]

Jose just posted this follow-up.

The Rivian R2 Performance is rated at 105 MPGe combined by the EPA. In our recent 70-mph highway test, it went a corrected 253 miles against a 330-mile rating, which is about 77%.

MPGe dates to 2010, when the EPA wanted a way to put electric cars on the same window sticker as gas cars so buyers could compare them. It landed on a fixed conversion, treating 33.7 kWh of electricity as the energy in one gallon of gasoline. After that, MPGe is just how many miles a car goes on that much energy. The R2 Performance uses 32 kWh to cover 100 miles, and that works out to 105 MPGe.

How the rating gets built is where it starts to drift from what owners see.

 

[Rivian Roamer]

I guess I'm puzzled why anyone is surprised by this. It was pretty obvious when they came out with the 330 mile range that the shape of the R2 would not allow for 3.7 mwh on the highway. I was saying this from the start.

I think you just described the answer to your own question.

"they came out with the 330 mile range"

Because, Rivian said 330 mile range. The point of the company communicating a metric is for people to believe, not derive.

 

[thomasoris]

They did. In their other video. R2 was just as inefficient at all speeds. It is what it is.

Not saying it is or it isn't, but a single test of each isn't enough of a sample size based on my experience in business. I'd just like to see more data, not just one test.

 

[thomasoris]

They're youtubers -- they don't have to do anything. Out of spec has a series of tests they run - 10% challenge, charging test, highway range test.

Personally, an around town range test is irrelevant -- I'm never going to drive 250-300+ miles around town in one go -- not to mention how many hours it would take to accomplish such a test.

Range is only relevant for road trips. For around town, a vehicle with a range of 70 miles would probably be enough for most people because they can charge at home each night if needed.

Well, not everyone has the same driving patterns as you. I get what you're saying, but when range is overstated, there is also a question of overall efficiency, which may be important to some.

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