Rivian R1T praise - Hurricane Helene Experience

[howler99]

We live in the mountains of Western North Carolina a little over an hour from Asheville. When I realized Hurricane Helene was heading our way, I charged the Rivian up to 85% just in case we needed to go far away. I also looked up the fording height of the Rivian...over 43 inches! Wow! I'm glad I never needed that.

The next morning we were in pretty good shape no flooding other than some minor issues in the basement, and a dead tree on our garage causing a minor leak. However, we had no electricity, cell service or internet.

Not having a generator, I setup an extension cord, from my R1T to our fridge.. For the next, week it ran our fridge with occasional duty for a lamp, Keurig and our garage door. The approx drain for all of this was 1 mile of range per hour. After a week of no electricity (but internet and cell service restored), I looked up the nearest L3 charger at a Rivian charge station in Whittier NC. It's about an hour and a half away but only a little over 50 miles. (mountain roads with some storm detours). I figured I had enough range to make it to the station + a little left over in case I needed to scramble and find another alternative , or head home (failed mission, no charge).

Thankfully, the Rivian charger was wide open just as Plugshare indicated. I got the R1T up to 97% and made it home with about 80% charge left in conserve mode. It took another 4 more days until our power was restored, but I'm really happy with how our Rivian and the Rivian charging station performed.

A friend of mine said it was an expensive backup power option, but I believe it's a pricey truck with a free backup power bonus. Another bonus is that I was able to cut up the dead tree and haul it to the dump in the Rivian.

Now if Rivian would only announce a V2L option other than extension cords

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[RedRaiderRivian]

A friend of mine said it was an expensive backup power option, but I believe it's a pricey truck with a free backup power bonus. Another bonus is that I was able to cut up the dead tree and haul it to the dump in the Rivian.

Now if Rivian would only announce a V2L option other than extension cords

I have this discussion about standby generators regularly. Your truck you get to drive and use all of the time and while expensive it brings enjoyment and peace of mind. A typical generator sits there doing nothing and you hope it works when you need it. Its essentially a dead asset.

I think Rivian is missing out on sales because of the lack of V2H or V2L options. Let's go Rivian. Bring us the power!

 

[Shill2801]

A friend of mine said it was an expensive backup power option, but I believe it's a pricey truck with a free backup power bonus.

That's how I view it. Having it be a back up battery is just an added bonus.

 

[HyperionMark]

Hopefully all these stories, and sadly many more to come in the near future will light a fire under them to get a V2L setup out the door very soon. Potentially could save lives, but undoubtedly make many lives more comfortable.

 

[zymolysis]

I charged the Rivian up to 85%

I would have charged up to 100%, in the face of the impending storm.

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

Hopefully all these stories, and sadly many more to come in the near future will light a fire under them to get a V2L setup out the door very soon. Potentially could save lives, but undoubtedly make many lives more comfortable.

I would also like to be able to help other EV drivers who are stranded. I know right now this is rare but as more EVs are put in service, it will happen more often.

 

[Mellowyellow]

+1 for V2V/V2L/V2H options!

 

[SwampNut]

My generator currently needs a repair. Not sure what. I only use it a few times a year. Pulled it out just to test/run it, and nothing. So yeah, your backup needs a backup....

 

[NC-Rivian]

I have this discussion about standby generators regularly. Your truck you get to drive and use all of the time and while expensive it brings enjoyment and peace of mind. A typical generator sits there doing nothing and you hope it works when you need it. Its essentially a dead asset.

I think Rivian is missing out on sales because of the lack of V2H or V2L options. Let's go Rivian. Bring us the power!

Shoot, instead of the V2 H capability I would settle for an increase in the 1500 W total maximum output of the receptacles

 

[ivinio21]

We live in the mountains of Western North Carolina a little over an hour from Asheville. When I realized Hurricane Helene was heading our way, I charged the Rivian up to 85% just in case we needed to go far away. I also looked up the fording height of the Rivian...over 43 inches! Wow! I'm glad I never needed that.

The next morning we were in pretty good shape no flooding other than some minor issues in the basement, and a dead tree on our garage causing a minor leak. However, we had no electricity, cell service or internet.

Not having a generator, I setup an extension cord, from my R1T to our fridge.. For the next, week it ran our fridge with occasional duty for a lamp, Keurig and our garage door. The approx drain for all of this was 1 mile of range per hour. After a week of no electricity (but internet and cell service restored), I looked up the nearest L3 charger at a Rivian charge station in Whittier NC. It's about an hour and a half away but only a little over 50 miles. (mountain roads with some storm detours). I figured I had enough range to make it to the station + a little left over in case I needed to scramble and find another alternative , or head home (failed mission, no charge).

Thankfully, the Rivian charger was wide open just as Plugshare indicated. I got the R1T up to 97% and made it home with about 80% charge left in conserve mode. It took another 4 more days until our power was restored, but I'm really happy with how our Rivian and the Rivian charging station performed.

A friend of mine said it was an expensive backup power option, but I believe it's a pricey truck with a free backup power bonus. Another bonus is that I was able to cut up the dead tree and haul it to the dump in the Rivian.

Now if Rivian would only announce a V2L option other than extension cords

What a story! I’m glad that you and your family are okay. In times like this, it’s all about staying alive and taking care of your family. It’s a shame to even refer to Rivian as an expensive generator. Any resources, whether cheap or expensive, should be used to care for the family.

A group of my coworkers volunteered to go down to North Carolina to help people in need. They brought a couple of skid-loaders, an aerial lift, wood chippers, and loads of food and water. They shared a few pictures from the area they are working in, and it is absolutely insane.

Stay safe!

 

[Jonger1150]

I would have charged up to 100%, in the face of the impending storm.

Yup

 

[Jonger1150]

Shoot, instead of the V2 H capability I would settle for an increase in the 1500 W total maximum output of the receptacles

2500W so we can run a space heater with a bit of wiggleroom.

 

[howler99]

I would have charged up to 100%, in the face of the impending storm.

In hindsight, I agree 100%. However, my previous record for going without power is 3 days, and I'm in Western North Carolina not the coast.

11 days or even 7 days is a long-time to go without power. Even people with propane backup generators were having issues. We had a neighbor whose generator threw a sparkplug. Most all of our neighbors with 500 gallon propane tanks were starting to turnoff their generators at night to preserve fuel. It was just over the week mark when the first propane deliveries started getting in.

 

[howler99]

What a story! I’m glad that you and your family are okay. In times like this, it’s all about staying alive and taking care of your family. It’s a shame to even refer to Rivian as an expensive generator. Any resources, whether cheap or expensive, should be used to care for the family.

A group of my coworkers volunteered to go down to North Carolina to help people in need. They brought a couple of skid-loaders, an aerial lift, wood chippers, and loads of food and water. They shared a few pictures from the area they are working in, and it is absolutely insane.

Stay safe!

Thanks for all you and your coworkers efforts! I'm really thankful we weren't in the hardest hit area, and the weather was great the whole time.

 

[jeeden]

A friend of mine said it was an expensive backup power option, but I believe it's a pricey truck with a free backup power bonus. Another bonus is that I was able to cut up the dead tree and haul it to the dump in the Rivian.

That's how I view it. Having it be a back up battery is just an added bonus.

Not too long in the future I think that used F150 lightnings and Rivians will be cheap enough that they are seen as a good generator that you happen to used to get mulch with occasionally.

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