Sub-Zero Headwind Road Trip... How much of a Riviot can I be?

[Riviot]

I'll start by answering my own question: "No, you idiot sandwich."

Question: should I start this road trip tomorrow?
-Seattle area -> Spokane, WA (20°F with 15mph headwind)
-Stay overnight, parked outside, 6.5kW charger
-Spokane, WA -> Kalispell, MT (10°F dropping to 0°F on arrival, 15mph headwind)

ABRP tells me to charge to 100% in Smelterville and drive under 70mph to make it. How much of a Riviot can I be?

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[Marchin_MTB]

Well I think you should go for it, drive slow and tell us about it later, if you survive that is. The 6kW overnight charge should help and as long as there’s no kids involved it will be your adventure!

 

[SeaGeo]

I'll start by answering my own question: "No, you idiot sandwich."

Question: should I start this road trip tomorrow?
-Seattle area -> Spokane, WA (20°F with 15mph headwind)
-Stay overnight, parked outside, 6.5kW charger
-Spokane, WA -> Kalispell, MT (10°F dropping to 0°F on arrival, 15mph headwind)

ABRP tells me to charge to 100% in Smelterville and drive under 70mph to make it. How much of a Riviot can I be?

Do it.

A guy that used to work for Rivian and commuted to/from Seattle/Kalispell area during the "beta" period said he was able to reliably do it in the winter. It's always given me a few minutes pause because of what ABRP says. With my calibration ABRP thinks I could make it to Kalispel using 89% of the battery leaving Smelterville (94% to 6% at arrival) keeping speeds under 75. If you go this route and find you're not going to make it to Kalispell you could bail to Missoula at Saint Regis or when you get to highway 200.

You may want to go up through Sandpoint and then Bonners Ferry. ABRP thinks that's an easier route for charging oddly enough. It'd take about 40 minutes longer though.

I also can't see you having a headwind the entire way. Maybe along 90, but once you break off going north you should be protected by the mountains.

Also, there is a 175kw charger in Cd'A that's on plugshare but not listed in the truck. If you go, you should stop by and see if it's back up and running.
https://www.plugshare.com/location/358931

 

[Craigins]

Dress warmly for the drive, use the heat only when absolutely needed.

For the overnight, don't charge to 100% automatically. Try to time it so that you hit the 100% as you are leaving. I usually set an alarm to resume charging to time it when i do my road trips.

Also precondition the cabin while hooked up to the charger.

The headwind will kill you if you drive 70, and so will using the heater. I drove in similar conditions Christmas day and at 85% charge I made it about 140 miles. Made it to the dcfc with 5% to spare. I was doing about 68 and had to have the heat on since I had my parents in the truck.

 

[SeaGeo]

No idea why, but ABRP also thinks this non-networks 50kw charger in Polson is restricted and wouldn't add it automatically. Per plugshare it doesn't seem to be, so you have another landing spot there if Kalispell ends up being a stretch.
View attachment 44738

Edit: looking closer at the Polson charger, it may be a bit iffy.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I'll start by answering my own question: "No, you idiot sandwich."

Question: should I start this road trip tomorrow?
-Seattle area -> Spokane, WA (20°F with 15mph headwind)
-Stay overnight, parked outside, 6.5kW charger
-Spokane, WA -> Kalispell, MT (10°F dropping to 0°F on arrival, 15mph headwind)

ABRP tells me to charge to 100% in Smelterville and drive under 70mph to make it. How much of a Riviot can I be?

ABRP was off for me the last two trips. Asking me to stop more frequently than I needed. The worst of the two was where it told me to stop 3-4 times and I only did 1 stop.

I say, dress warm. HVAC off. Charge to 100%, times to finish when you leave. Preheat the cabin to 72. Conserve mode, Lowest suspension and go for it.

 

[DB-EV]

I'll start by answering my own question: "No, you idiot sandwich."

Question: should I start this road trip tomorrow?
-Seattle area -> Spokane, WA (20°F with 15mph headwind)
-Stay overnight, parked outside, 6.5kW charger
-Spokane, WA -> Kalispell, MT (10°F dropping to 0°F on arrival, 15mph headwind)

ABRP tells me to charge to 100% in Smelterville and drive under 70mph to make it. How much of a Riviot can I be?

You got this.

In similar temps I got 92% of estimated range by only using heat to defrost, shut off repeat, plus but and steering wheel warmer. Did not have headwind.

Also, I charged and ran warmers up until I left. This can apparently replicate battery preconditioning to give you good efficiency up front.

 

[DB-EV]

I'll start by answering my own question: "No, you idiot sandwich."

Question: should I start this road trip tomorrow?
-Seattle area -> Spokane, WA (20°F with 15mph headwind)
-Stay overnight, parked outside, 6.5kW charger
-Spokane, WA -> Kalispell, MT (10°F dropping to 0°F on arrival, 15mph headwind)

ABRP tells me to charge to 100% in Smelterville and drive under 70mph to make it. How much of a Riviot can I be?

You've got this. In less than 12 parsecs, just like Han.

 

[EVnewb]

I think you’d be an idiot sandwich not to do it!

Haha, but seriously just echoing everyone else here and I say go for it. Looks like you’re getting some good positive advice from the group. Although it’s easy to say that from my nice warm couch… ?

 

[COdogman]

Do it. Some of the best trips I’ve ever had were my “idiot sandwich” trips.

*Edit: If it doesn’t go well just promise us you won’t record it on your phone and later post it to YouTube blaming Rivian

 

[Budman]

Here is some data I have on the effect of temperature. This is for a R1T on 21" wheels driving in conserve mode. This is all taken from doing the same 165 mile trip multiple times. 1/2 on interstate at 70 mph, 1/2 on state highway at 60 mph. Extrapolate from there at your own risk, faster driving speeds is a huge factor to consider.....

 

[Zoidz]

I know you know this, but a reminder that speed is a huge factor.

Force of Air Resistance = Frontal Area/2 × Coefficient of drag × Air Density × Velocity ^2

It's that damn Velocity squared that's the killer, and the cold air density also works against you.

I'd probably do the trip, but drive at 55 or 60.

 

[Riviot]

Thanks for all the support, y'all! I'm taking the wife's Honda to work so we can leave with 100% in the Grinch later. I'll do Conserve/low/stiff everywhere but the passes and let you know how it goes!

 

[rivian_germany]

I know you know this, but a reminder that speed is a huge factor.

Force of Air Resistance = Frontal Area/2 × Coefficient of drag × Air Density × Velocity ^2

It's that damn Velocity squared that's the killer, and the cold air density also works against you.

I'd probably do the trip, but drive at 55 or 60.

I second this.. my range changes dramatically with only a few mph difference. I would say try to keep it around 60mph and don't try to pass lots of people. The slower you go, the more range you will get!! I think about 62 mph is a good speed for me when I don't need to be there 10 minutes faster... Remember you are driving a brick-shaped vehicle.

 

[rivian_germany]

Also, I charge at 7kW in my driveway but it is slow going. don't expect to get from 0 to 100 overnight at that speed! Maybe you will get from 0 up to 60%.

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