Officially unofficial update on LE orders w/ 20" wheels waiting in limbo. - EPA limits.

[CharonPDX]

I got my Guide contact and Shop access a month ago, and have seen almost no 20" wheel vehicles in the Shop, and my Guide hasn't had any info on when my build will happen. I'm waiting on a config that has shipped - LE in FG over FE, 20" AT-Bright, Underbody Shield.

Guide is just "I won't know anything until your name appears on my build list." But I'd noticed the Shop is loaded with Adventure Package vehicles with 21" wheels, of all color combinations. And has been for a few weeks. Guide had no info on why.

But did a Support Chat, and the chat agent had a good theory.

Chat agent said that the EPA insists that when a vehicle is advertised with a certain range, the manufacturer has to ship a certain percent of vehicles that are of the configuration that meets that. Since the 20" wheel reduces range by more than the allowed margin of error, they had to pause 20" deliveries until they sell enough 21" to keep within that limit. Tesla gets around this by actually changing the displayed range when you switch wheels in the configurator, and having separate EPA listings for the different wheel options. I wish Rivian had done this.

So if you're in delivery limbo, and aren't absolutely requiring 20" wheels, ask your guide to switch your configuration to 21". (Or change it yourself if your config isn't soft-locked yet.)

(Sadly, I am insisting on the 20" for tire availability reasons. So I will be continuing to wait.)

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[MoreTrout]

One of the more plausible theories I have heard. FWIW, I got notified this weekend my truck with 20" ATs is ready and should be getting it in a couple of weeks. No word yet on whether the spare will come with it at the time of delivery. My guide did text me to confirm my mailing address for accessories, but didn't say if that meant for sure they are delayed or by how long. (crossbars, all weather floor mats)

 

[thrill]

...But did a Support Chat, and the chat agent had a good theory. Chat agent said that the EPA insists that when a vehicle is advertised with a certain range, the manufacturer has to ship a certain percent of vehicles that are of the configuration that meets that. Since the 20" wheel reduces range by more than the allowed margin of error, they had to pause 20" deliveries until they sell enough 21" to keep within that limit...

Customer Service people shouldn't be offering "theories" since they rapidly become (erroneous) internet "facts".

 

[Brewbud]

That theory would not explain the delay in getting 20" spares to customers. Or keeping out of the Rivian Gear Shop.

 

[TXR1S]

This theory sounds nice on the surface, but seems really hard to believe.

Rivian has known of the high percentage of 20s for literally years.

If they are indeed “waiting until they sell enough 21s”, what is the long term plan? Do that forever?

Doesn’t really add up to me.

 

[Bullitt]

Remember they’re going to be sitting on a supply of 20s to deliver LE R1Ss in the coming months as well.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

OK, it’s Mission Impossible time. We need a covert ops team to infiltrate Rivian‘s factory and give us a full accounting of 20” AT wheels in the warehouse.

 

[AxelR]

This theory had been brought up on this forum by one of the members.
Tesla’s approach makes more sense (despite the fact that their claimed numbers are just claims).
Surprising that this would have a real effect since we’re talking EV here and not ICE vehicles, but why not.

 

[crashmtb]

OK, it’s Mission Impossible time. We need a covert ops team to infiltrate Rivian‘s factory and give us a full accounting of 20” AT wheels in the warehouse.

What if they’re JIT from tireville?

 

[Sgt Beavis]

What if they’re JIT from tireville?

JIT, in this day, is killing companies. Supply chains are not going to be fixed for years.

 

[Trandall]

@CharonPDX, I'm confused Did you reserve in time to originally configure a LE R1T? I thought the Rivian Shop was for those with early-ish reservations that opted out of launch editions not knowing there would be a year of more difference in delivery timing? I would have thought most configurations and preorder dates similar to yours were filled or being filled within the next month. Unless from outside CONUS.

 

[dleepnw]

I got my Guide contact and Shop access a month ago, and have seen almost no 20" wheel vehicles in the Shop, and my Guide hasn't had any info on when my build will happen. I'm waiting on a config that has shipped - LE in FG over FE, 20" AT-Bright, Underbody Shield.

Guide is just "I won't know anything until your name appears on my build list." But I'd noticed the Shop is loaded with Adventure Package vehicles with 21" wheels, of all color combinations. And has been for a few weeks. Guide had no info on why.

But did a Support Chat, and the chat agent had a good theory.

Chat agent said that the EPA insists that when a vehicle is advertised with a certain range, the manufacturer has to ship a certain percent of vehicles that are of the configuration that meets that. Since the 20" wheel reduces range by more than the allowed margin of error, they had to pause 20" deliveries until they sell enough 21" to keep within that limit. Tesla gets around this by actually changing the displayed range when you switch wheels in the configurator, and having separate EPA listings for the different wheel options. I wish Rivian had done this.

So if you're in delivery limbo, and aren't absolutely requiring 20" wheels, ask your guide to switch your configuration to 21". (Or change it yourself if your config isn't soft-locked yet.)

(Sadly, I am insisting on the 20" for tire availability reasons. So I will be continuing to wait.)

if thats really the reason they paused 20s thats pretty lame on Rivian's part.

more plausible are probably
a) just simply low on 20 supply
b) folks who ordered 21s are changing their minds to 20 or 22 after its built which leaves a majority of the orphans as 21s.

 

[SASSquatch]

I got my Guide contact and Shop access a month ago, and have seen almost no 20" wheel vehicles in the Shop, and my Guide hasn't had any info on when my build will happen. I'm waiting on a config that has shipped - LE in FG over FE, 20" AT-Bright, Underbody Shield.

Guide is just "I won't know anything until your name appears on my build list." But I'd noticed the Shop is loaded with Adventure Package vehicles with 21" wheels, of all color combinations. And has been for a few weeks. Guide had no info on why.

But did a Support Chat, and the chat agent had a good theory.

Chat agent said that the EPA insists that when a vehicle is advertised with a certain range, the manufacturer has to ship a certain percent of vehicles that are of the configuration that meets that. Since the 20" wheel reduces range by more than the allowed margin of error, they had to pause 20" deliveries until they sell enough 21" to keep within that limit. Tesla gets around this by actually changing the displayed range when you switch wheels in the configurator, and having separate EPA listings for the different wheel options. I wish Rivian had done this.

So if you're in delivery limbo, and aren't absolutely requiring 20" wheels, ask your guide to switch your configuration to 21". (Or change it yourself if your config isn't soft-locked yet.)

(Sadly, I am insisting on the 20" for tire availability reasons. So I will be continuing to wait.)

Hey! Great post and your "Officially Unofficial" title sounds familiar!

 

[CharonPDX]

@CharonPDX, I'm confused Did you reserve in time to originally configure a LE R1T? I thought the Rivian Shop was for those with early-ish reservations that opted out of launch editions not knowing there would be a year of more difference in delivery timing? I would have thought most configurations and preorder dates similar to yours were filled or being filled within the next month. Unless from outside CONUS.

I'm on a Launch Edition reservation, waiting on my Launch Edition to be built. I got Shop access the same day my configuration entered "Soft Locked, Pending Fulfilment." There are quite a few Launch Edition preorder holders still waiting - mine had been "updated" to be "November-December" window with the shift in early June - which was extraordinarily frustrating, since there was nothing "delayed" on my config.

Forest Green, Forest Edge interior, 20" AT-Bright wheels.

 

[Zoidz]

Not buying this story. Does anyone think Rivian is going to sit on millions of dollars of inventory for weeks/months, when all it would take is updating the web site to show different EPA ranges?

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