Switched from R1T (Gen 1 Quad) to a Ford Bronco

[Jonger1150]

You must be expecting to live 125+ years.

As mentioned above, this is an unrealistic expectation. The fossil fuel producers are large and powerful and are not going to just give up. There are transportation vehicles that require large amounts of energy that will be around for a long time. Cargo ships have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. SMR Nuclear ships for commercial use are in the earliest stage of prototypes and won't be viable for another 10 to 15 years. Fossil powered ships will continue to end of useful life.

Third world countries have vast areas with no electrical power distribution. Solar will not provide sufficient energy for EV domination due to cost of solar build out at scale. Fossil fuels for transportation will continue to be relied upon for decades by these countries.

It's cheaper to skip fossil fuels and go straight to solar & battery. Countries with existing coal/gas infrastructure are still going to burn fossil fuels, but countries without much existing infrastructure are skipping right to solar + battery.

China changed the game. The same steps the west took are going to look much different for Africa....etc.

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[skyguyscott]

Well, FWIW, I agree that fossil fuels will remain an energy supply in some form or another for most, if not all, of the rest of the century – but I believe it will gradually diminish in volume.

Meanwhile, technical advancements in electricity generation, electricity distribution, battery technology, charging times, and other engineering factors will continue to advance. Likewise, as the market increases, and competition heats up, the economics will continue to improve in regards to electric vehicles.

at some point, BEV’s overtake ICE vehicles like IC vehicles overtook the horse.

Consider the following variables:
Quantum batteries,
Sodium batteries.
Graphite batteries
Nuclear fusion power plants coming online.
Charging your EV in an instant with a laser.
Middle Eastern conflict and its impact on oil supply and prices.
AI optimized EV development.
Carbon driven climate impact becoming evermore apparent.
The US opening it’s automotive market to foreign imports.
Generation alpha eschewing 20th century technology in general, and noisy, smelly, complicated ICE technology in particular

Any one of the preceding factors will have a major impact on the market, and a half dozen makes it a whole new ball game.

 

[Rade]

Eh, most people aren't buying EVs to "save the planet".

It was part of why we went EV. That and we got tired of watching the "Gas Price Roulette" every week when we would go to the pump. I can recharge my R1T for less than half the cost of petroleum, and I am looking at my records from 2024 when I had an ICE truck and gas was averaging $2.49 gal. Right at this moment, I am charging off my solar panels.

But hey - different strokes for different folks 'n all. Good luck to anyone switching back. Best of luck to you! Really. Enjoy.

 

[Dark-Fx]

As mentioned above, this is an unrealistic expectation. The fossil fuel producers are large and powerful and are not going to just give up.

This is definitely part of the problem for me. We aren't going to run out of oil in my lifetime, but that doesn't mean we should continue to use it like it's an infinite resource. There's still a lot of non-energy uses for oil that don't have great alternatives yet, and humans are still likely to be here in thousands of years from now where we absolutely will run out of it as a resource at the rates we are using it today.

Too many corporations operate like they don't care about the eventual future because no-one in charge of them today will be around then.

 

[Count Orlok]

I hope you pulled the trigger on that Unimog! It looks bitchin!!!

close: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steyr-Puch_Pinzgauer

 

[Forest Edge]

Environmental issues aside, there is currently no direct substitute for a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. Lockers, 35s, Low range gearbox - a combo that does not exist in the EV world. So for now, we can give you a free pass .
(also, no pics of the Bronco??)

 

[MXA121]

That's an exciting color combo! Nice

 

[strykerwsu]

I have both for going on close to 4 years. Both great vehicles. But very different need /use cases. If owning just one vehicle it would definitely be R1T / S over Bronco for my use case.

R1's can do almost everything but top off experience. The way less road / tire noise is a must for road trips. We have done them in hard top Bronco but at 80MPH even a conversation is tough. Also technology and of course EV vs ICE Im going R1.

Last item is Bronco has had about 12+ recalls in 5 years of ownership. I've had 1 service visit on R1's (T&S) on 6 years combined so quality for me has been much better for Rivian.

PS for those thst like to tinker, the Bronco is awesome. Ive spent way too much time and $'s modifying ours.

 

[windshieldfarmer]

I have a very nice Wrangler Unlimited Recon with all of the goodies including off road lights, full skids, 35s, and a winch. Great vehicle for camping and off roading. That said 95% of its usage is commuting and visiting several farms I own . It’s truly a penalty box on the highway…noisy and bumpy. I’m replacing it (and a BMWIX50) with an R2 to gain efficiencies and better drivability while retaining the power of the BMW and some of the off-road capabilities of the Jeep. The Bronco is a lot more modifiable than any Rivian but it would seem like a pretty big step down in terms of drivability, power, and refinement. That’s said, to each their own! Godspeed!

 

[savethemanual]

As they say, the grass is always greener ...wow.

 

[voxel]

Obviously a very different vehicle and very different driving experience. But I'm loving the Bronco! I forgot how nice it is to have intuitive knobs and switches controlling things inside the car. 30 years of driving-related muscle memory means it just feels like home to have a "normal" windshield wiper control stock or volume knob. I did enjoy driving an EV and I'll buy another one at some point. I miss the ease of plugging in at night. Don't miss the acceleration. That became just a parlor trick after a few months and I never really used all that HP and torque. I realize this will not be a popular post on here, but thought I'd share in case anyone else is thinking of going back in time to a truck that runs on dino juice.

I've owned both. Both have major issues. The Bronco is a fun weekend top-down vehicle but it's just awful in stop and go traffic. Don't get started on the Fisher Price interior quality of it. I loved my Bronco but it makes for a 3rd vehicle not a daily. I offroaded mine a dozen times and loved that aspect.

The R1S I had... is more like a daily that's a big too large and just a terrible offroad vehicle - too heavy, too brittle, can't fit 35", no front/rear lockers. Day to day... an EV is simple better all around.

 

[voxel]

I have a very nice Wrangler Unlimited Recon with all of the goodies including off road lights, full skids, 35s, and a winch. Great vehicle for camping and off roading. That said 95% of its usage is commuting and visiting several farms I own . It’s truly a penalty box on the highway…noisy and bumpy. I’m replacing it (and a BMWIX50) with an R2 to gain efficiencies and better drivability while retaining the power of the BMW and some of the off-road capabilities of the Jeep. The Bronco is a lot more modifiable than any Rivian but it would seem like a pretty big step down in terms of drivability, power, and refinement. That’s said, to each their own! Godspeed!

There's no way an R2 can do much off-roading. Not enough articulation and it suffers the same issue as the Grand Cherokee - good luck putting bigger tires on without rubbing against the wheel wells and fenders.

 

[windshieldfarmer]

There's no way an R2 can do much off-roading. Not enough articulation and it suffers the same issue as the Grand Cherokee - good luck putting bigger tires on without rubbing against the wheel wells and fenders.

I fully realize that….I am only seeking to retain “some of the off road capabilities”. In the last three years I’ve only been on one hard core trail in Colorado that would exceed the Rivian’s capabilities. Most of the time level 1 - 3 Forest Service roads. While the Jeep could handle a 5 or 6 I suspect even a 4 might be tough for the R2 without risk.

 

[voxel]

Ruby Red! I had a Race Red (shortly after delivery - never looked this clean after lol)

 

[Zoidz]

This is definitely part of the problem for me. We aren't going to run out of oil in my lifetime, but that doesn't mean we should continue to use it like it's an infinite resource. There's still a lot of non-energy uses for oil that don't have great alternatives yet, and humans are still likely to be here in thousands of years from now where we absolutely will run out of it as a resource at the rates we are using it today.

Too many corporations operate like they don't care about the eventual future because no-one in charge of them today will be around then.

Agree. But as you know, we humans in general ARE continuing to use it as an infinite resource with data centers leading the charge. And blame data centers, but who are the end consumers of that power? Everyone of us that is connected or expects technology driven services (online help, chat bots, AI agents, etc.). Create an AI generated video of rabbits jumping on a trampoline or an AI agent that indexes your photos? That consumed a few grams of fossil fuel. The problem is that electricity growth demand outstrips new alternate energy coming online, so fossil fuel consumption is not going to drop any time soon in the US.

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