The Rivian R2 is one of the most-hyped electric vehicles hitting the market this year. But how does it perform in the real world? Now that the tightly controlled media first drives are over and customers who don't work for Rivian are actually taking delivery of their EVs, we're starting to learn more.
Friend of InsideEVs Tom Moloughney, of the State of Charge YouTube channel, managed to get his hands on an R2 for a range test and a fast-charging evaluation. Moloughney tested the R2 from 10% to 80%, basically the sweet spot for actual road-trip behavior. Within 38 seconds, the R2 is charging at above 200 kilowatts, which is equivalent to 268 horsepower. From there, the charging power climbs steadily until it hits 226 kW, or 303 horsepower, at 31%. Then it begins stepping down.
After 10 minutes, the R2 reaches a 45% state of charge and is pulling 171 kW, or 229 horsepower. Moloughney says that should be good enough for 100 miles of highway driving in moderate temperatures. After about 15 minutes, the R2 has recouped about half its battery capacity and hit a 60% state of charge. At that time, it's taking in 135 kW, or 181 horsepower.
View Price on AmazonIt takes five more minutes to hit 70%, at 116 kW, or 156 horsepower. The R2 is pulling 68 kW, or 91 horsepower, when it hits 80%, after a total of 26 minutes and 51 seconds. That's about two minutes faster than the 29-minute 10-80% charge time that Rivian claims. Moloughney also describes the result in terms of miles of driving range added per minute, according to his 70 mph range test. The R2 added 50 miles in about five minutes, 100 miles in 11, and 150 miles in about 19.
But, as Moloughney notes, it's not anything exceptional in today's EV world. "This is not a top-of-class characteristic of R2. But as far as I'm concerned it is acceptable," he said. This roughly matches what you can expect from a Tesla Model Y, though it's several minutes slower than an 800-volt EV like a Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Moloughney also had to get a little fussy about his charging session to get the absolute most out of the R2. He notes that the R2 can accept over 600 amps, and that there aren't many chargers that can actually dispense that much. Alpitronic chargers that Walmart and Ionna use can deliver that much current, he says. The ABB A400 unit that Moloughney visited can also deliver 600 amps, but only out of its CCS connector—not via its NACS plug. Since the R2 has a native NACS port, he whipped out an adapter (rated for 500 amps, mind you) and used the CCS side.
Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com
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Source: insideevs.com
