R2 prototypes spotted in Moab, charging at Tesla supercharger

[TexasBob]

A full Li cell is 4.2v. 3.7v is about as low as you want the cell to go. I don't think it's possible to extract 98kw from a battery at 3.65v

Ok but both my AI helpers have told me the same:

Nominal Voltage: The specifications for high-nickel 4695 cells are consistently listed between 3.665 V and 3.67 V.

The 35Ah is probably optimistic and my AI helpers would agree that 30 - 32 Ah is more likely.

In any case lets call it 89 kwh to 98 kwh gross 95% of that net. (So saith the Chat GPT and Gemini, fwiw.)

Here is the rest of the AI estimate including a speculative large pack:

R2 Configuration	Estimated Combined Efficiency
RWD (Single Motor)	3.5 - 3.6 mi/kWh
AWD (Dual Motor)	3.2 - 3.3 mi/kWh
Tri-Motor	3.0 - 3.1 mi/kWh

R2 Configuration	Est. Efficiency	89.9 kWh "Standard" Pack	98.0 kWh "Large" Pack
RWD (Single Motor)	3.55 mi/kWh	~320 miles	~348 miles
AWD (Dual Motor)	3.25 mi/kWh	~292 miles	~319 miles
Tri-Motor	3.05 mi/kWh	~274 miles	~299 miles

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[TexasBob]

MT article I read recently specifically stated 330. They have some pretty good sources at Rivian, so I'd expect the EPA range to come in right around 330.

My 2c, if RWD is coming in at 330 it will be a good seller on the entry model but the higher end models will get a pass from enthusiasts. (Which may be fine for RIvian!)

 

[Viking80]

The R1 does 500A and RAN cables as well as EA also can. ie 500A * 400V = 200KW

It’d be a big fail to have a new vehicle in 2026 only charge at 200kW. Charging curves do matter more than peak, but in the court of public perception 325 >>>>> 200kW.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

It’d be a big fail to have a new vehicle in 2026 only charge at 200kW. Charging curves do matter more than peak, but in the court of public perception 325 >>>>> 200kW.

Agreed. Max charge rate lower than R1 would be a massive sad trombone, even with better sustained peak charging.

Poor charging performance is probably the single thing that would make me consider skipping R2 and looking at the Scout with range extender instead.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

My apologies, I didn't mean to imply that curbside charging was a bad idea - they are just much more of a Europe thing. Which considering R2 will eventually make it there would be nice, but they are currently designing for the market they are selling in...

Port location is also based on proximity to one of the motors (so that AC charging can use the inverter to charge the DC pack), and the single motor version of R2 is going to be rear-wheel drive. Saves on copper not having to run extra HV wiring from a front port to a rear motor.

No need to apologize. Just poking a little fun. I agree, it is much more of a thing in Europe. I do envy the larger commitment over there. I would also prefer that location. I hate backing in and with how my garage set up is, the charging would work better for me in that location. Hate that they caved to the tesla standard when I will never use a tesla charger, but understand that for most people the change is welcomed.

 

[Cogentfire]

we need RAN chargers in Moab badly

 

[Great Gatsby]

Ok but both my AI helpers have told me the same:

Nominal Voltage: The specifications for high-nickel 4695 cells are consistently listed between 3.665 V and 3.67 V.

The 35Ah is probably optimistic and my AI helpers would agree that 30 - 32 Ah is more likely.

In any case lets call it 89 kwh to 98 kwh gross 95% of that net. (So saith the Chat GPT and Gemini, fwiw.)

Here is the rest of the AI estimate including a speculative large pack:

R2 Configuration	Estimated Combined Efficiency
RWD (Single Motor)	3.5 - 3.6 mi/kWh
AWD (Dual Motor)	3.2 - 3.3 mi/kWh
Tri-Motor	3.0 - 3.1 mi/kWh

R2 Configuration	Est. Efficiency	89.9 kWh "Standard" Pack	98.0 kWh "Large" Pack
RWD (Single Motor)	3.55 mi/kWh	~320 miles	~348 miles
AWD (Dual Motor)	3.25 mi/kWh	~292 miles	~319 miles
Tri-Motor	3.05 mi/kWh	~274 miles	~299 miles

Might want to put a spoiler alert lol this actually seems accurate and can totally imagine being roughly what we end up seeing once more details are announced.

For me personally, to consider the tri, it would need to get at least 300 miles in all purpose mode or I'll pass. Unless they hope people spring up for the R1, I don't get the logic behind a tri R2 if range and pricing aren't that competitive.

 

[BigSkies]

we need RAN chargers in Moab badly

The new EA station there is a good one. At least I was happy with it. I feel Moab proper is pretty well covered.

I am looking forward to the RAN in Monticello if that ever actually happens.

 

[Dark-Fx]

You’ve got your s’s and p’s backwards but based on your assumptions it doesn’t matter. Why do you assume 500A is the maximum? NACS can do up to 325kW currently. If we are assuming the R2 will run 400V architecture, theoretically it’ll take 800A but that is heavily based on system design and the cell max charge rate.

Rivian didn't increase charging rate on their v1.5 pedestals past 500A, and we haven't seen a v2 design yet.

 

[HaveBlue]

It’d be a big fail to have a new vehicle in 2026 only charge at 200kW. Charging curves do matter more than peak, but in the court of public perception 325 >>>>> 200kW.

500A is a pretty hard limit so the R2 would need to be 900V to go over 200kw. The wire size just becomes too unwieldy. Even regional high tension lines are 500A. RAN units can go to 920v so I'd say it's in the future; fingers crossed.

 

[SanCarlosJeff]

I hear that the new NACS standards are designed with future curbside charging in mind, with more options for "bring your own cable" style charge ports. This should work better with curbside chargers, where driving over the cable is a real thing.

I don't really know the details and the market clearly isn't there today. But it's at least being thought about.

You're correct that the NACS SAE standard does support BYOC. IMO that's the future. If chargers don't have cables then they are cheaper to install, require less maintenance, easier to weather proof, and less susceptible to vandalism. The argument can be made that requiring everyone to have their own cables is a waste of resources, but I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.

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