RivianTrackr: "Stop Buying EVs for the Trip You Take Twice a Year"

[Dennisis]

I mean, I gave an example of the trip I'm taking soon. There are like 3 legs of the trip that have me leaving at 8 AM and getting to the next hotel at 8-9 PM and involve 450-500 miles of driving. I simply wouldn't be able to keep to schedule in an R2. I'd have to drop multiple stops from each of those days. And on the other days, is have to shorten stops and/or arrive an hour plus later than otherwise.

Like, this trip is literally impossible in an R2 compared to a 400 mile range ICE vehicle. I would have to give things up, and I don't want to.

I get it. I used to take 12 hour trips and just grind out the miles. 12 hours from Tucson takes me to San Fran, Park City, or Denver, 3 of our favorite areas. But I’m older now and see more value in enjoying the trips and welcome the charging stops for 20 minutes or so every 2-2.5 hours on average, no longer than 3.5-4 rarely. I don’t need to, and don’t enjoy to, plan every minute of a trip. Trying to fit in every minute of activity gets old and diminishes the value of the adventure IMO. Just saying think about it - often maximum activity per trip doesn’t equate to maximum enjoyment. EV charging stops quietly become a blessing.

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[Thebandit]

I get it. I used to take 12 hour trips and just grind out the miles. 12 hours from Tucson takes me to San Fran, Park City, or Denver, 3 of our favorite areas. But I’m older now and see more value in enjoying the trips and welcome the charging stops for 20 minutes or so every 2-2.5 hours on average, no longer than 3.5-4 rarely. I don’t need to, and don’t enjoy to, plan every minute of a trip. Trying to fit in every minute of activity gets old and diminishes the value of the adventure IMO. Just saying think about it - often maximum activity per trip doesn’t equate to maximum enjoyment. EV charging stops quietly become a blessing.

I'd rather the extra 90 minutes of stops be waterfalls and playgrounds, not DCFC sites. "Sorry son, time to get off the slides so we can spend 20 minutes at the Supercharger at the mall."

 

[Dennisis]

I'd rather the extra 90 minutes of stops be waterfalls and playgrounds, not DCFC sites. "Sorry son, time to get off the slides so we can spend 20 minutes at the Supercharger at the mall."

There you go! So you know what works for you and your family, no need to ask for others opinions here.

 

[Thebandit]

There you go! So you know what works for you and your family, no need to ask for others opinions here.

I'm not asking for opinions. I'm offering one, which is contrary to the article in the OP. The prevailing wisdom seems to be "an EV is good enough for anyone and you're kinda dumb if you disagree."

 

[Thebandit]

Ahh, well glad you could chime in and voice your opinion. Though I’m not sure what that actually does for you? Designate yourself as the unofficial spokesman for the anti EV crowd? Bless you heart, you can smugly enjoy your day now.

.... What's your problem?

 

[Dennisis]

.... What's your problem?

We’ve all have had or still have ICE vehicles - you haven’t enlightened anyone on the current limitations of EVs. If you don’t intend to get an EV why are you here?

 

[GRSmith]

We want all opinions, good and bad. That is what forums are actually for. It may help someone consider something they haven't before. There is a poster that points out why it doesn't work for him. Does his reasons pertain to you? If not, you at least see that other people have other things to consider. If so, it may make you have to consider how much weight you'll put on it.
The original premise of this thread is to point out that you may not want to weight range highly if that is something that only affects you twice a year. Others disagree, especially with the cost of the car.

 

[Thebandit]

We’ve all have had or still have ICE vehicles - you haven’t enlightened anyone on the current limitations of EVs. If you don’t intend to get an EV why are you here?

Literally said in this thread I am getting an R2 for myself. I am offering a contrary opinion to the one expressed by the article in the OP. There are still significant limitations to what you can do with an EV while road tripping compared to an ICE vehicle. I'm making the case for why it DOES make sense to buy a vehicle that can handle the "two road trips a year" or whatever: the only real alternatives are to use someone else's vehicle (which is crap), or accept the limitations (spending an extra 90 minutes per day at chargers instead of doing something fun like seeing a waterfall or walking around a museum).

 

[Dennisis]

Literally said in this thread I am getting an R2 for myself. I am offering a contrary opinion to the one expressed by the article in the OP. There are still significant limitations to what you can do with an EV while road tripping compared to an ICE vehicle. I'm making the case for why it DOES make sense to buy a vehicle that can handle the "two road trips a year" or whatever: the only real alternatives are to use someone else's vehicle (which is crap), or accept the limitations (spending an extra 90 minutes per day at chargers instead of doing something fun like seeing a waterfall or walking around a museum).

Then I missed that and misunderstood your tone, apologies. Yes, an EV is far from being the sole answer for everyone and every use case. Time and greater adoption will drive innovation and investment and close most all of those gaps.

 

[lordsutch]

I'd rather the extra 90 minutes of stops be waterfalls and playgrounds, not DCFC sites. "Sorry son, time to get off the slides so we can spend 20 minutes at the Supercharger at the mall."

Fair enough. One of these days we'll get to the point where there's a destination/waypoint charger or better at every location you might want to stop for the true road warriors.

 

[iamnid]

I mean, I gave an example of the trip I'm taking soon. There are like 3 legs of the trip that have me leaving at 8 AM and getting to the next hotel at 8-9 PM and involve 450-500 miles of driving. I simply wouldn't be able to keep to schedule in an R2. I'd have to drop multiple stops from each of those days. And on the other days, is have to shorten stops and/or arrive an hour plus later than otherwise.

Like, this trip is literally impossible in an R2 compared to a 400 mile range ICE vehicle. I would have to give things up, and I don't want to.

I don't think there's a trip that's impossible -- it will just require more stops than with an ICE vehicle. But in your case, the inconvenience is more than you're willing to put up with.

I don't think Jose's article was ever meant to apply to EVERYBODY, it clearly doesn't apply to your situation.

Out of curiosity, what is the start and end of your trip?

 

[Thebandit]

I don't think there's a trip that's impossible -- it will just require more stops than with an ICE vehicle. But in your case, the inconvenience is more than you're willing to put up with.

I don't think Jose's article was ever meant to apply to EVERYBODY, it clearly doesn't apply to your situation.

Out of curiosity, what is the start and end of your trip?

Upstate NY, down through PA, through Chicago, then up through the UP and Ontario, back through the Adirondacks.

 

[dleepnw]

I think the annoying thing about the real world range of the R2 is that they also compromised on charging speeds. 10-80% in 30min is not good in 2026. The only reason Rivian isn't getting killed for it is that the MY also has similar charging speeds.

The EX60 is reported to have 350 miles of real world range, its got B&W audio (which is amazing) and the interior from what I saw on a test drive is nicer than the R2. I know the EX60 isn't as "capable" as the R2 but it is superior on some of the other big ticket items, which has me seriously considering it over the R2.

And let me say, all it takes is a few of the "trip you take twice a year" to regret having a vehicle that has lower range and slow charging. At least that's been my experience road tripping with the R1T Quad/Large. Charging 30-60min per stop on a 2500 mile can be a chore. Cutting that by half and reducing the number of overall stops is a big deal.

Al that being said, the main reason I probably wouldn't switch to an EX60 is because of autonomy. I think Rivian's immediate and long term outlook is more promising than Volvo. Once you've experienced FSD, its hard to go back.

 

[Zorg]

Literally said in this thread I am getting an R2 for myself. I am offering a contrary opinion to the one expressed by the article in the OP. There are still significant limitations to what you can do with an EV while road tripping compared to an ICE vehicle. I'm making the case for why it DOES make sense to buy a vehicle that can handle the "two road trips a year" or whatever: the only real alternatives are to use someone else's vehicle (which is crap), or accept the limitations (spending an extra 90 minutes per day at chargers instead of doing something fun like seeing a waterfall or walking around a museum).

90mns a day would be a pretty long day trip, or towing. That being said, folks know their use case best.

One thing that is annoying with road tripping an EV is finding a destination (hotel or Airbnb) that has a level 2 charger. Charging overnight is a great time saver. It is definitely easier now than 10 years ago but still requires some planning.

 

[BigSkies]

I don't care to read through 10 pages of discussion, but a frequently neglected point is that many (most?) EV's are in two-car households.

Most households don't need two cars that can do roadtrips. A lot of families (anecdotally) buy a 300 mile range EV, then do road trips in their gas car anyways.

There's no reason many families can't have one car capable of road trips and another shorter range EV. That could make the EV much cheaper. The old Leaf and Slate went after this idea.

Having a Rivian and a Tesla, the Rivian has become our road-trip car and the Tesla is overkill for our needs. I'd be perfectly happy with a 150-200 mile range EV to replace the Tesla when it's time. As long as it is big enough to pack in the kids and a medium amount of kids sports gear.

My kids will also likely get a short-range EV when it's time to get them their first car.

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