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Revealed: Rivian Patent For Auxiliary Battery Module To Achieve 400+ Miles Range

VValleyEV

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Having said that, there are probably people out there who could use this because they’re towing something big and heavy and do not want to stop and recharge all the time and have to unhook to do it. Or some such Patagonian explorers. Or deranged electrophiles who have too much money and will buy every option just because they can.
AHA, I think you have found a valid use case. If you are towing a big (and expensive) travel trailer on a long trip, it might be worth it to install this giant thing in the bed for the trip and remove it afterward. Bed reduction wouldn’t matter much because all your stuff is in the travel trailer or hanging off the back of it anyway. I know some folks who have a separate truck that they only use to haul their AirStream, truck staying in storage the rest of the time, and this might work for them.

The Patagonian explorers and deranged electrophoresis with too much money are out there, but IMHO not in sufficient quantities to justify this option.;)
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VSukx

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Maybe it could take a different form for the R1S? Something that could fit in the cargo / trunk area.
They better shrink that battery for the R1S then, because what's the point of all that range for longer trips if you have no space for bags, luggage, etc.

The more I think about it the more I think it's only going to be available for the R1T.
 

DiggiRob

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My main concern is whether this add-on option will be required to reach the 400 mile range. I have always been assuming that the vehicle will be rated at 400 mile range with the 185khw pack and no other add-one. I hope that is still true.

I second the concerns about this being more semi-permanent than a “jerry can”, taking up a big piece of that already small truck bed, and requiring a forklift to move it in and out. There may be a target market for this, but it would not include yours truly.
I could have sworn Rivian confirmed 400 mile range with the 185khw pack. Besides, the R1S is said to get 410 miles at the top level. Seeing as how this auxiliary battery may not even be available for the R1S unless they come up with a different design, I'm going to guess the battery module extends it beyond the 400 mile range with the 185khw pack.
 

Katsudon

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They better shrink that battery for the R1S then, because what's the point of all that range for longer trips if you have no space for bags, luggage, etc.

The more I think about it the more I think it's only going to be available for the R1T.
Actually thinking about this more... the auxiliary battery is likely only available for the R1T considering the patent calls for installation by forklift / winch. Which means you can't lower this auxiliary battery into the trunk of an R1S because it has a fixed roof?
 

Papalock

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My bet is there will be a separate filing for an auxiliary battery for the R1S. It just doesn't make sense to have this tech and addd range be available only for the pickup.
 

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A forklift?? Did they say how heavy this battery is? When I read auxiliary I was hoping truly portable.
 

RefugeEV

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My main concern is whether this add-on option will be required to reach the 400 mile range. I have always been assuming that the vehicle will be rated at 400 mile range with the 185khw pack and no other add-one. I hope that is still true.

I second the concerns about this being more semi-permanent than a “jerry can”, taking up a big piece of that already small truck bed, and requiring a forklift to move it in and out. There may be a target market for this, but it would not include yours truly.
Rivian just tweeted this reassurance that the longest range model with the largest battery pack can go over 400 miles, meaning the auxiliary battery isn't required to reach over 400 miles.

 

JB Segard

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Yes, an add-on powerbank on demand is a really good solution to occasional peak range demand.
Another option for the same is to use EP Tender's Battery as a Service trailers.
See www.eptender.com
The idea of removable add-on battery pack doesn't seem entirely new: FR3014035
"ENSEMBLE AMOVIBLE DE BATTERIE POUR UN VEHICULE AUTOMOBILE ELECTRIQUE COMPORTANT UN RESERVOIR D'APPOINT"
 
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PoorPilot

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Yes, an add-on powerbank on demand is a really good solution to occasional peak range demand.
Another option for the same is to use EP Tender's Battery as a Service trailers.
See www.eptender.com
The idea of removable add-on battery pack doesn't seem entirely new: FR3014035
"ENSEMBLE AMOVIBLE DE BATTERIE POUR UN VEHICULE AUTOMOBILE ELECTRIQUE COMPORTANT UN RESERVOIR D'APPOINT"
That’s an interesting product, but the Rivian auxiliary battery would be a semi-permanent battery pack, not a trailer.
 

THOR

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I would put this on when I put on the winter tires. To fight back on the loss to cold weather. Take it off in summer to have more room and lighter load.
Looks like a great option. I wonder how much it will cost.
 

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VValleyEV

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I could have sworn Rivian confirmed 400 mile range with the 185khw pack. Besides, the R1S is said to get 410 miles at the top level. Seeing as how this auxiliary battery may not even be available for the R1S unless they come up with a different design, I'm going to guess the battery module extends it beyond the 400 mile range with the 185khw pack.

Yeah, I think it is pretty clear the 185kwh pack will mean 400-mile range without any additional battery packs, and that this future option for R1T might extend it to 500, or more likely hold it at 400 miles when you are towing a big travel trailer, in which case you don’t need much storage in the bed anyway.
 

Hmp10

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How will they handle the cooling of an auxiliary battery pack? The permanent packs have a rather elaborate cooling system.
 

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How will they handle the cooling of an auxiliary battery pack? The permanent packs have a rather elaborate cooling system.
The patent describes it a little albeit somewhat light on details, but it sounds like it's all built in to the module. Probably partially why it's so large too.

"The auxiliary battery module includes an integrated cooling system for cooling itself during operation of the electric vehicle including a conduit therein for circulating coolant."
 

THOR

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Rivian just tweeted this reassurance that the longest range model with the largest battery pack can go over 400 miles, meaning the auxiliary battery isn't required to reach over 400 miles.

until you start towing. it want's a bigger battery, imo
 

RefugeEV

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Since Rivian advertises the R1T and R1S as "Electric Adventure Vehicles" a modular extended battery idea makes a lot of sense. This way they can truly be put to "adventure" use and taken into even more remote areas without range anxiety.

I wonder what the business plan for this auxiliary battery will be tho - will it be sold as an accessory for more permanent capacity and/or perhaps Rivian will rent these batteries out for owners who need it for one-time use?
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