R2's A/C performance in really hot weather?

[MClayton]

Would be great if new owners could post their experience with how the a/c is performing in the new R2s in really hot weather.

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[Timmdodge60]

A small sample size, but I had an R2 demo drive in 98 degree F Orlando from 11:30 to noon and no cloud cover. The AC was cold and the ventilated seats were excellent. I was concerned about radiant heat coming down from the glass roof but I didn't notice anything.

 

[Universe93B]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

 

[Dark-Fx]

Mid 90s here today. Can't provide useful info, too busy enjoying all the windows down.

Still got some chill from also having the AC running, but I was never truly comfortable. For comparisons sake, today my R1T was warm my whole drive with the windows all up though.

 

[dcdttu]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

You are going to love this: The A/C on an EV is not dependent on the vehicle moving, at all. In an ICE (Internal combustion engine) vehicle, the engine is at idle and the A/C can't run at full power. This is why forward movement is required to get the system colder, it increases the engine RPM, which in turn increases the compressor speed.

In an E/V, the A/C system is entirely electric, not belt driven, so it's independent of the vehicle motors and/or movement.

This means the A/C can run at full power at a stand-still. You can also remotely activate it to cool down your car before you get in it. And not the way you can be near your ICE vehicle and start it with the remote, I'm talking using the Rivian app to remotely activate it from across the country if you wanted to.

It's great.

 

[morph860]

I also did a demo drive in Orlando on a hot and sunny day. A/C and ventilated seats both worked great and I didn't notice feeling warm from the glass top. I could feel heat coming from the driver's side window and the windshield. But this is normal in new vehicles before a ceramic tint goes on.

 

[emroch]

Related to the topic of this thread - how is the A/C performance when the car idling? Sorry, I’m new to EVs, and in ICE, air moving through the engine helps. I sit in carpool in NC heat (95 degrees) in the summer for an hour daily, so an EV would really help me in keeping the cabin comfortable (VS running an entire engine just to run the A/C compressor)

I wonder if there is also a benefit to having fresh air pushed through the condenser rather than just having a fan blowing the otherwise stagnant external air around?

 

[18650]

You are going to love this: The A/C on an EV is not dependent on the vehicle moving, at all. In an ICE (Internal combustion engine) vehicle, the engine is at idle and the A/C can't run at full power. This is why forward movement is required to get the system colder, it increases the engine RPM, which in turn increases the compressor speed.

In an E/V, the A/C system is entirely electric, not belt driven, so it's independent of the vehicle motors and/or movement.

This means the A/C can run at full power at a stand-still. You can also remotely activate it to cool down your car before you get in it. And not the way you can be near your ICE vehicle and start it with the remote, I'm talking using the Rivian app to remotely activate it from across the country if you wanted to.

It's great.

Not entirely true of EV AC performance. Reguardless of how the compressor is powered, a moving vehicle provides cooler AC. If that were not the case, there would be no need for the condensor in the front of the vehicle.

That said, EV's can be left "on" while you shop so you return to a cold vehicle. It's a fantastic feature.

 

[dcdttu]

Not entirely true of EV AC performance. Reguardless of how the compressor is powered, a moving vehicle provides cooler AC. If that were not the case, there would be no need for the condensor in the front of the vehicle.

That said, EV's can be left "on" while you shop so you return to a cold vehicle. It's a fantastic feature.

Sure, leaving the hot air an A/C system produces behind by being in motion does help, but I would argue the vast, vast majority of the reason a moving gas car cools better is because the engine is at a higher RPM, thusly the A/C is at a higher RPM.

My Model 3's A/C gets downright frigid at a stand-still. I really don't notice a difference between 0mph and when I'm moving.

 

[mcdaniken]

Just did demo in Phoenix a few days ago. Sunny and roughly 100F. The AC was fine, but the 'easy bake oven' glass left the top of my bald head pretty warm.

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