New Battery Pack Design (not Standard Pack) & Architecture Coming in 2024 confirms Rivian CFO

[DuoRivians]

https://kvgo.com/barclays/rivian-automotive-inc-nov-2023

In the recent Barclays Conference, Claire McDonough (Rivian CFO) mentions that Rivian will be introducing a new battery pack in 2024. (I watched this a number of times and it’s not in reference to the Standard Pack.)

Besides the cost savings, I wonder what performance improvements it’ll bring.

Here’s the relevant clip.

Here's a summary posted by @usofrob

I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:

1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025

Sponsored

 

[Eric9610]

Most Likely switching to 800v architecture and better density.

 

[DuoRivians]

Most Likely switching to 800v architecture and better density.

I don’t think it’s 800v. Too soon for 2024. But maybe better thermals?

 

[SANZC02]

https://kvgo.com/barclays/rivian-automotive-inc-nov-2023

In the recent Barclays Conference, Claire McDonough (Rivian CFO) mentions that Rivian will be introducing a new battery pack in 2024. (I watched this a number of times and it’s not in reference to the Standard Pack.)

Besides the cost savings, I wonder what performance improvements it’ll bring.

Here’s the relevant clip.

It does not say it but I will be surprised if it is not the standard pack she is referencing. It is LFP which is substantially cheaper in chemistry and other components and is currently not available on either model.

It will also allow for decent configurations under 80k for both R1S and R1T so it will help with the 3750 rebate and possibly on the battery portion as well.

 

[DuoRivians]

It does not say it but I will be surprised if it is not the standard pack she is referencing. It is LFP which is substantially cheaper in chemistry and other components and is currently not available on either model.

It will also allow for decent configurations under 80k for both R1S and R1T so it will help with the 3750 rebate and possibly on the battery portion as well.

I watched this whole video. She mentions the Standard Pack before this. And then segues to a new battery pack design, so I don’t think it’s in reference to the Standard Pack.

 

[usofrob]

I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:
1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025

I am planning on getting my R1S late next summer or fall. I'm happy to see this simplification of the product, and a little bit of mass reduction as well.

 

[DuoRivians]

I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:
1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025

I am planning on getting my R1S late next summer or fall. I'm happy to see this simplification of the product, and a little bit of mass reduction as well.

Great summary!

 

[dleepnw]

change in battery pack may not be chemistry related but how they package it and thermal management. we know they want to optimize the overall architecture of the vehicle (not 800v) so would make sense the address the most expensive part of the vehicle to reduce cost and improve battery performance.

 

[VSG]

I'm sure one of the things they intend to change with the battery pack is that 12V system component deep inside the pack that sometimes fails and causes the 12V to die and brick the vehicle - when that happens they currently have to replace the entire HV battery pack. I'm a little fuzzy on the details of what component that was, perhaps someone can locate some of those previous posts which described it.

 

[Riviot]

I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:
1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025

I am planning on getting my R1S late next summer or fall. I'm happy to see this simplification of the product, and a little bit of mass reduction as well.

Well shoot. Things like this make me want to wait till the new build to take delivery. Pre-price hike pricing on new tech and performance dual motor efficiencies, might be worth the wait!

 

[Davethadog]

My little bird told me 800v plus heat pump for better thermal management.

 

[usofrob]

My little bird told me 800v plus heat pump for better thermal management.

Have you actually heard that? Or are you just teasing us? Because those things would be a more systematic change and it seems unlikely to happen at this time given the public information I've seen. And that would be a much bigger deal than all the other things she confirmed in the video.

That said, I'm also hoping the Q2 shutdown will bring in the Enduro quad motor, because RJ has previously implied that's coming. I suspect a price increase though, so I need to start preparing for a more expensive purchase.

 

[Zoidz]

Have you actually heard that? Or are you just teasing us? Because those things would be a more systematic change and it seems unlikely to happen at this time given the public information I've seen. And that would be a much bigger deal than all the other things she confirmed in the video.

That said, I'm also hoping the Q2 shutdown will bring in the Enduro quad motor, because RJ has previously implied that's coming. I suspect a price increase though, so I need to start preparing for a more expensive purchase.

Yes, heat pump is a redesign of all the key components in the heating/cooling loop. More complex than just a swap or addition of one component.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Besides the cost savings, I wonder what performance improvements it’ll bring.

In other words, Rivian is getting Munro'd?

Rivian has seemed pretty sure that they could be turning a profit for Q4 of 2024. This re-tooling is most likely hyper focused on cost cutting. I sure hope that future owners aren't giving up much for this and that Rivian is also making marked improvements as well, but I'll hold my breath on those things.

Still really hoping we'll see the unannounced high performance drivetrain then as well.

 

[evhelphub]

Most Likely switching to 800v architecture and better density.

I'm watching the video as well, here are some interesting notes related to the factory update in 2024 Q2:
1. Confirmed going to zonal based network architecture
2. 60% less electronics
3. 25% less harness
4. The shutdown will be bringing in the Standard Pack
5. Updated battery pack (I agree, not related to just Standard pack), simplifies battery pack end module structure (I don't know what that means yet), takes thousands of dollars of cost out and additional mass
6. Several week shutdown in Q2
7. They're planning on doing a stepped approach to ramping R1 production after the shutdown for each combination of battery pack and motor module to work out the bugs and ensure quality.
8., Run rate capacity isn't likely to get to 85k/year until 2025

I am planning on getting my R1S late next summer or fall. I'm happy to see this simplification of the product, and a little bit of mass reduction as well.

My little bird told me 800v plus heat pump for better thermal management.

This is my bet as well. Makes way too much sense. I'm fairly confident they let slip in 2021 that they were working on a heat pump but it wasn't ready yet. Then they later denied it.

The 800v architecture is an absolute no brainier.

Hopefully they can do this without increasing prices, regardless of interest rates mid next year. I'm personally going to wait and see. If they don't do it, then they don't do it and I can make a choice at that point.

Sponsored