How does Rivian calculate the mileage range when EPA numbers say it is much less

[Manu]

Hi,

I'm new to Rivian (had my car for 2 weeks now) and I'm very surprised with the mileage average I'm getting which is after 500 miles something below 2miles/kWh. Mostly driving 50/50 freeway and city. Rivian posted their usable battery size and I calculated that I'm only getting 75% of what was promised to me. Even my model 3 was not that bad, I got on average 87% of what was promised (after 100k miles) and we know that Tesla has not been very good with their range accuracy.

I looked at the EPA number and for the 352 miles range on the R1S large with 21" tires, EPA says the combined average is 432Wh/miles, i.e. 303 miles on a full charge. Better than what I got but still very far from the 352 miles they promise. Even if you take the city only at 411Wh/miles, you get 318 miles on a charge.

What math is Rivian doing to get the 352 miles range when EPA says it is 432Wh/miles combined?

Thanks!

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[SeaGeo]

EPA efficiency includes charging losses is part of it.

You can look at their submitted documents to the EPA, the data is there if you really want to know the answer.

Is where you live cold? Are you flooring it? I'm guessing you have a dual motor variant? Any signs of alignment issues?

My quad motor on LT winter tires has been averaging 1.9 miles over the winter, which includes energy used to condition the cabin and manage the battery at home. Last spring/summer/fall I averaged about 2.4 mi/kwh with AT tires.

 

[DuoRivian]

You cannot use two weeks of driving during winter to extrapolate. When it gets warmer you will get closer to the EPA multiple owners and auto reviewers get or exceed the EPA figures.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

You cannot use two weeks of driving during winter to extrapolate. When it gets warmer you will get closer to the EPA multiple owners and auto reviewers get or exceed the EPA figures.

This. Winter driving... Also unlike ICE EVs get more range in the city and less on the highway.

My quad in conserve mode can get 2.6 mi per kwh easily when conditions are mild. Extreme cold road trip I did it was 2 mi per kwh. 2.6 mi per kwh times large pack usable capacity of 131 kwh gives a range of 340 mi. At 2 mi per kwh the range is 262 mi. DM should do slightly better but cold temps cause efficiency to take a nose dive.

 

[LL75]

Tesla is the worse. No way your model 3 would get 87% of promised range unless you are driving 45 to 50 mph constantly.

 

[COdogman]

No 3rd party estimate can account for every person’s driving style, the terrain and weather where they drive. You have also only had your Rivian for 2 weeks. The EPA estimates always do seem a bit optimistic, but Rivian certainly gets closer to it than some other manufacturers.

 

[DoubleTake]

I love how OP after two weeks of driving is complaining about mileage and mentioning what was “promised” to them. Rivian doesn’t promise shit lol. Neither does any other mfg. there are so many variables at play. My previous iX AVG around 2kw in winter and then shot up to 3kw in the summer and over delivered BMW “promise” of mileage per charge.

I am averaging about 1.8 right now with my Rivian in north east winter even with a heated garage. Summer I am hoping for 2.3-2.5.

 

[NY_Rob]

OP.. if you're making a lot of shorter (less than 20min) trips, that dings efficiency as the battery pack takes at least that long to warm up to optimum temps. The same happens in an ICE vehicle... terrible mpg until the engine and transmission get up to optimal operating temps.

Keep an eye on the energy graph screen on the far left of the driver side screen. In the beginning you will see it start below 2mi/kWh but it will eventually creep up once the battery warms up.

 

[Manu]

Thanks for all the viewpoints. I'm in southern California where winter weather does play a role in early morning driving but not so much the rest of the day. I'm mostly do in town driving using the local freeways most of the time at 65-70 mph.

I'm really curious about the charges loss. I could not find any number online and comparing the Rivian to the Tesla.

As I drive the car more, I'm really hoping to get in the 2.5 miles/kWh range.

 

[Trandall]

Over 46K miles the "guess-O-meter" in my R1T has been incredibly accurate. In upstate NY I obviously get below EPA rated range most of winter but get better most of summer. I have a QM Large Pack on 20" wheels and I've gotten over 275 miles at 72MPH without using conserve mode in temperatures right around freezing (with a preheated batter pack). overall my R1T has over delivered on expected range.

 

[Jabbahop]

OP.. if you're making a lot of shorter (less than 20min) trips, that dings efficiency as the battery pack takes at least that long to warm up to optimum temps. The same happens in an ICE vehicle... terrible mpg until the engine and transmission get up to optimal operating temps.

Keep an eye on the energy graph screen on the far left of the driver side screen. In the beginning you will see it start below 2mi/kWh but it will eventually creep up once the battery warms up.

Also I find lots of suburban stop and go can hurt your efficiency depending how you drive. I tend to feather the acceleration/regen most of the time whereas my lovely wife is a bit more abrupt and it shows in our relatively efficiency. It doesn’t make much difference with our very light BMWi3 but with the big heavy Rivian, it is quite noticeable on the efficiency screen and trip meter. For us the our efficiency is mostly determined by speed/wind & temp vs driving style. Our R1T quad with 20” ATs is at around 2.55 (in southern Utah so no bitter winter) and mostly around town driving with me driving the vast majority of those miles.

 

[Manu]

I just had a second look at my rivian and it reports 1.67mi/kWh so far for my 500miles I driven it. It seems very low for California weather even if I only had the car for a couple of weeks.

 

[COdogman]

I just had a second look at my rivian and it reports 1.67mi/kWh so far for my 500miles I driven it. It seems very low for California weather even if I only had the car for a couple of weeks.

Your Rivian will never be as *efficient* as your M3 that weighs half as much.

Your profile says you also have a Model 3. I've never owned a M3 but from comments here and knowing how Tesla calculates its range estimates, there is no doubt your Rivian's estimates will be more accurate than your M3.

 

[Mobius1]

I live is SoCal also and have 20” with ATs and over the past 6 months my lifetime avg is 2.09 mi/kWh over 6900 miles and 1.92 mi/kWh over the last 1800 miles, which includes a trip to Mammoth and a few trips to Mountain High. I really saw the difference in the mornings when the battery is colder. Now I have it preconditioned before my drive and I’m back to a 2+ avg. I live in a hilly area and the efficiency going uphill is terrible and downhill doesn’t make up for it. Give it some time.

 

[HaveBlue]

Hi,

I'm new to Rivian (had my car for 2 weeks now) and I'm very surprised with the mileage average I'm getting which is after 500 miles something below 2miles/kWh. Mostly driving 50/50 freeway and city. Rivian posted their usable battery size and I calculated that I'm only getting 75% of what was promised to me. Even my model 3 was not that bad, I got on average 87% of what was promised (after 100k miles) and we know that Tesla has not been very good with their range accuracy.

I looked at the EPA number and for the 352 miles range on the R1S large with 21" tires, EPA says the combined average is 432Wh/miles, i.e. 303 miles on a full charge. Better than what I got but still very far from the 352 miles they promise. Even if you take the city only at 411Wh/miles, you get 318 miles on a charge.

What math is Rivian doing to get the 352 miles range when EPA says it is 432Wh/miles combined?

Thanks!

Maybe you have the quad motor and are looking at the dual motor specs. Maybe you drive 80mph in -20F weather. We don't know... Best might be to drive at EPA or speed limit speeds and see what your efficiency is and then multiply by the battery size you have.

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