Mileage Loss in Cold / what’s realistic?

[TheZoo_den]

I’ve had my 2025 R1T Dual Max for 10 months. I drive the same route to/from work each day. For most of the time I’ve had the truck the 31 mile trip takes 9-10% or about 40 miles of battery each way. Sometimes less going home as it’s slightly downhill and warmer. I did get updated tires in October. Reviews said they got similar or slightly better mileage. Here in Colorado it’s obviously colder in the winter, though this winter is warmer than usual. Same route I’m getting about 15% and about 60 miles used one way. That’s 50% more battery usage. Temps can range in the 20s to 60s. Some days it may be 13-14%. But it seems like a lot more usage for a regular route that I know the average. Is this pretty typical? I know the cold affects the battery. I’ve had 3 different EVs and so far this one has the most difference in battery drain. Curious on others experience with this. Thanks

Sponsored

 

[NY_Rob]

If your vehicle is cold soaking outdoors overnight 30% range loss is pretty common. The most loss I ever experienced was in my Bolt driving in a snowstorm with really strong headwinds. In fair weather the Bolt gets 238 mi range easily, that morning after just 10 miles of driving it was estimating 129 mi range left... so a 50% reduction.

 

[TheZoo_den]

If your vehicle is cold soaking outdoors overnight 30% range loss is pretty common. The most loss I ever experienced was in my Bolt driving in a snowstorm with really strong headwinds. In fair weather the Bolt gets 238 mi range easily, that morning after just 10 miles of driving it was estimating 129 mi range left... so a 50% reduction.

My truck is in the garage overnight and I warm it up in the mornings before taking off to work. I’ve considered taking it into Rivian but want to see how others have had this

 

[McLovin]

My morning commute normally takes 7% battery (‘24 Dual Large) to go 26 miles. It sits in the driveway overnight, but I do “preheat” it on cold mornings. Not as cold as Colorado, but in the low 20s it will take around 9%, and this morning, at 8 degrees, it was closer to 10%.

Having said that, I just drove from Rochester, NY to Gainesville, VA(aka Northern Virginia) on Monday. The temps started around 16 degrees, and never got above 38. Fully loaded truck, 3 passengers (moved my mother down here). Average mi/kW was 2.08. Not bad, considering I was doing 70+ most of the drive.

 

[beatle]

Cold affects the battery, but also HVAC usage. Cold air is denser and requires more energy to push through it. I used almost 11% on my way to work this morning when it was 13 degrees out. The same trip in early October at 59 degrees takes 4%. This is pretty consistent with last winter.

Long trips are still fine in the cold. For comparison, I make a ~200 mile trip to see my family a couple times a year. These are both with almost no traffic, clear skies, calm wind.

At 36F, it takes 72%
At 74F, it takes 64%

 

[mkhuffman]

Efficiency in winter varies greatly depending on what is on the roads, the outside temperature and the temperature you set for the cabin. In my experience, and from the many reports I have seen, a 20-30% decrease over summer range is normal. I usually assume a 20% hit, and it is pretty close to be correct for me. But I don't keep the cabin super warm, and I also keep my truck in a fairly warm garage.

You may have read that your new tires are similar efficiency, but that could be another cause. Tire efficiency varies depending on temperature and speed. (On a side note, tires rated for high speed get better efficiency at high speeds than those that are not. It surprised me when I read the study about that.) I suspect your tires are less efficient and contributing to your range loss.

What tires did you have before, and what tires do you have now?

 

[TheZoo_den]

What tires did you have before, and what tires do you have now?
[/QUOTE]
I had the Pirelli 22” range set that came with the truck. I got the Continental TerrainContact HT. I did some research and most of that said they were similar in range. But the setting in the truck is for generic tires so you really don’t get to set them up like the pirelli. I reset all the settings per Rivian to get a good mileage on them. They also started off good when I got them.

 

[Lrak1973]

I commute from Arvada into downtown every day, and the efficiency hit is most notable before the battery warms up. I'll get around 1.3-1.8 mpkw when the battery is below 38, but when it is warmed up, the difference is not that noticeable. I've driven to Copper Mountain and back in 4 degrees and while there was a hit, I had no trouble with range. I use Blizzaks in the winter, and they do cut efficiency from 2.3 down to 2.02 for the winter months.

 

[TheZoo_den]

I commute from Arvada into downtown every day, and the efficiency hit is most notable before the battery warms up. I'll get around 1.3-1.8 mpkw when the battery is below 38, but when it is warmed up, the difference is not that noticeable. I've driven to Copper Mountain and back in 4 degrees and while there was a hit, I had no trouble with range. I use Blizzaks in the winter, and they do cut efficiency from 2.3 down to 2.02 for the winter months.

I’m going to start tracking by writing down. I drive from Brighton to Broomfield each day. While it is slightly uphill that way it should not be a big deal.

 

[jmtreetop]

I drive from Westminster to Lone Tree (26 miles) and I consistently consume 11% one way in the summer. Lately it’s been 12-14%. The vehicle is garaged and the battery is usually around 70 from charging overnight. I don’t use climate control unless it’s very cold since I pre-heat but I do use the seat heater.

 

[emoore]

My normal south denver suburb commute takes 10% in the summer and 15% in the cold winter. So your experience seems in line with what I’ve seen.

 

[usulio]

I’ve had my 2025 R1T Dual Max for 10 months. I drive the same route to/from work each day. For most of the time I’ve had the truck the 31 mile trip takes 9-10% or about 40 miles of battery each way. Sometimes less going home as it’s slightly downhill and warmer. I did get updated tires in October. Reviews said they got similar or slightly better mileage. Here in Colorado it’s obviously colder in the winter, though this winter is warmer than usual. Same route I’m getting about 15% and about 60 miles used one way. That’s 50% more battery usage. Temps can range in the 20s to 60s. Some days it may be 13-14%. But it seems like a lot more usage for a regular route that I know the average. Is this pretty typical? I know the cold affects the battery. I’ve had 3 different EVs and so far this one has the most difference in battery drain. Curious on others experience with this. Thanks

You said below that you preheat but what is the battery temperature when you start the drive? (Can be found in the drive options screen) If the battery starts cold, R1 will pour a lot of energy into heating it up.

 

[CANCERDOC]

What tires did you have before, and what tires do you have now?

I had the Pirelli 22” range set that came with the truck. I got the Continental TerrainContact HT. I did some research and most of that said they were similar in range. But the setting in the truck is for generic tires so you really don’t get to set them up like the pirelli. I reset all the settings per Rivian to get a good mileage on them. They also started off good when I got them.
[/QUOTE]

The factory tires have the lowest rolling resistance for two reasons. First the compound is optimized for EV. Second, they have less tread depth when new so the rolling resistance is lower. This is why the best range is when they were nearly bald. Brand new tires with full tread depth have more rolling resistance and therefore you will lose some range until the tires wear down.

 

[mkhuffman]

I had the Pirelli 22” range set that came with the truck. I got the Continental TerrainContact HT. I did some research and most of that said they were similar in range. But the setting in the truck is for generic tires so you really don’t get to set them up like the pirelli. I reset all the settings per Rivian to get a good mileage on them. They also started off good when I got them.

I don't think it is possible for those tires to be as efficient as the OEM tires. IMO your range hit is due to the tires and the cold weather. Those tires likely are causing a 10-20% range hit. I would guess it is 20%, which with your cold weather hit, gives you a 50% range hit. Sounds about right to me.

When getting replacement tires that are not OEM spec, you are really rolling the dice. There is no good way to confirm the new tires will be as efficient. However, if the new tire is not designed for low rolling resistance, and not designed for EVs specifically, you can be very sure they are not going to be as efficient.

Your tires are not designed to have low rolling resistance and not designed for EV vehicles.

If you go through the many tire threads on this forum, even tires that are designed for EVs and with low rolling resistance are frequently not as efficient as the OEM tires. Rivian tried to pick the most efficient tire available for the truck, so I doubt there are any more efficient than OEM.

I recommend sticking with OEM if you care about efficiency, unless you can find a tire that is tested to be more efficient than the OEM tires.

The exception would be the 20" AT tires, which since they are all terrain, have room for improvement if you can find a low rolling resistance 20" street tire that fits. There are a few options out there now.

I have yet to see any reports of a different 22" doing as well as the OEM tires.

 

[Greg Chick]

If I pass someone and puch it to do so when battery is cold or go 70 mph or more I see a mileage hit. I as well see big variable consumption going up steep grades in cold weather. I have seen over 10 mile range drop in 1.5 miles in below freezing weather up steep a hill. Sometimes in warm weather, the same hill only a 3 mile drop.

Sponsored