Long Beach to Scottsdale and Back (in an R1S)

[Cabonzhp]

I drive an Air Pure, my wife now has an R1S (gen2, Dual Standard Range).

Our previous trips were done in her iX 50i, and we’d stop twice for roughly 30 minutes each, while cruising at 80 to 85 most of the time. The BMW did an exceptional job with range on arrival estimates, despite the high cruising speed.

On this, our first trip with the R1S, it was abysmal. While it was nice to use Tesla SCs (though damn expensive) the efficiency of the Rivian blew my mind.

Averaging 1.6mi/kWh we had to stop 3 times each way, and the range on arrival estimate was completely terrible, averaging 10-15% lower range on arrival than estimated, every single time. Average 90%-10% was 110 miles. This was even with cruising at the speed limit to give it best benefit of the doubt. Incredible to think my Air Pure gets 2.5x higher efficiency even on a bad day. We will definitely be taking my car next trip.

 

[BS8899]

I drive an Air Pure, my wife now has an R1S (gen2, Dual Standard Range).

Our previous trips were done in her iX 50i, and we’d stop twice for roughly 30 minutes each, while cruising at 80 to 85 most of the time. The BMW did an exceptional job with range on arrival estimates, despite the high cruising speed.

On this, our first trip with the R1S, it was abysmal. While it was nice to use Tesla SCs (though damn expensive) the efficiency of the Rivian blew my mind.

Averaging 1.6mi/kWh we had to stop 3 times each way, and the range on arrival estimate was completely terrible, averaging 10-15% lower range on arrival than estimated, every single time. Average 90%-10% was 110 miles. This was even with cruising at the speed limit to give it best benefit of the doubt. Incredible to think my Air Pure gets 2.5x higher efficiency even on a bad day. We will definitely be taking my car next trip.

Have you tried driving the R1S in "Conserve" mode? I drove my R1S on multiple times between Marin County and Phoenix. Half of my trip covers the same routes you took on your Long Beach to Scottsdale. I pretty much drive the speed limit, maybe 3-4 mph higher to offset the speedometer calibration. I can get almost 2.5 mi/kWh . Not sure how your R1S is spec'ed. Mine is 2023 quad motor (Bosch). In "Conserve" mode, it becomes a FWD and the height is lowered to reduced drag. More recently, I drove my R1S with a U-Haul trail on this route and got just under 1.5m/kWh.

I suspect you must be driving at 80+ mph in standard mode.

 

[Cabonzhp]

Being a Dual Standard I don’t think it has a direct Conserve mode, but it’s definitely in FWD and lowering at speed. The only applicable spec beyond being gen2 Dual Standard is that it does have the 20” all terrain tire vs the 22” range.

 

[BS8899]

Being a Dual Standard I don’t think it has a direct Conserve mode, but it’s definitely in FWD and lowering at speed. The only applicable spec beyond being gen2 Dual Standard is that it does have the 20” all terrain tire vs the 22” range.

The tires can make a big difference. Now, how fast were you driving?!

 

[BS8899]

The tires can make a big difference. Now, how fast were you driving?!

If you were doing 80-85mph with those tires, your realized efficiency is to be expected!

 

[Cabonzhp]

Contrary to the norm, I absolutely had to stay at the speed limit if I wanted to make it through the desert. So 75 through AZ and 70 through CA.

 

[BS8899]

Contrary to the norm, I absolutely had to stay at the speed limit if I wanted to make it through the desert. So 75 through AZ and 70 through CA.

When I drive from Marin County to Phoenix (780 miles on I-5-CA210-I-10), I CAN make it with 3 charging stops. My 2023 R1S is a Large Pack, not a Max Pack. I'd start out at 100%, then stop to charge around 10%.

 

[gaskiller]

I drive an Air Pure, my wife now has an R1S (gen2, Dual Standard Range).

Our previous trips were done in her iX 50i, and we’d stop twice for roughly 30 minutes each, while cruising at 80 to 85 most of the time. The BMW did an exceptional job with range on arrival estimates, despite the high cruising speed.

On this, our first trip with the R1S, it was abysmal. While it was nice to use Tesla SCs (though damn expensive) the efficiency of the Rivian blew my mind.

Averaging 1.6mi/kWh we had to stop 3 times each way, and the range on arrival estimate was completely terrible, averaging 10-15% lower range on arrival than estimated, every single time. Average 90%-10% was 110 miles. This was even with cruising at the speed limit to give it best benefit of the doubt. Incredible to think my Air Pure gets 2.5x higher efficiency even on a bad day. We will definitely be taking my car next trip.

Cubes are not aerodynamic. Im surprised Rivian was that bad in efficiency.

 

[BS8899]

Cubes are not aerodynamic. Im surprised Rivian was that bad in efficiency.

Well, the Air is more aerodynamic than the Gravity, and the Gravity is more aerodynamic than the R1S. That said, my average efficiency on my AGT is ~3,5 mi/kWh, on myR1S is just under 2.5 mi/kWh (when driven long distance in Conserve Mode). I don't have a Gravity. The Gravity owners seem to be getting 2.8 mi/kWh to ~3.1 mi/kWh. So, no question that the Air is better than the Gravity and the Gravity is better than the R1S for efficiency. Manufacture's spec-wise, the R1S is pretty much on spec as claimed (~2.2 mi/kWh in std mode). It seems like most Air/Gravity owners are experiencing about 20+% lower in range/efficiency in real-life highway driving when compared to Lucid's benchmarks, which are based on EPA testing conditions (48mph average).

 

[Spaceship]

1.6??? Yikes. Something definitely seems off.

I've done a road trip in the dead of winter to New England with a full R1S and even then, it hovered around 2.1 on all highway driving. This is not normal.

Charging times are absolutely brutal though. Main reason I started looking to move on from the R1.

 

[BS8899]

1.6??? Yikes. Something definitely seems off.

I've done a road trip in the dead of winter to New England with a full R1S and even then, it hovered around 2.1 on all highway driving. This is not normal.

Charging times are absolutely brutal though. Main reason I started looking to move on from the R1.

the 400V architecture is slow in charging. Don't know where you charge DCFC. My experience: The Rivian Adventure chargers are much better than EA. The Adventure chargers typically deliver about 230+kW at the onset and sustain over 200kW throughput longer than the EA chargers. On the road, I typically charge from ~10% to ~80%. That takes about 40min.

 

[Spaceship]

the 400V architecture is slow in charging. Don't know where you charge DCFC. My experience: The Rivian Adventure chargers are much better than EA. The Adventure chargers typically deliver about 230+kW at the onset and sustain over 200kW throughput longer than the EA chargers. On the road, I typically charge from ~10% to ~80%. That takes about 40min.

It was a 2,000 mile trip and we used mostly RAN since I had free charging with them from a referral. Super reliable and fast enough on the onset, but that was it, 40 minutes felt way too long. Each time it felt like we were waiting around an extra 10 minutes than I would have liked.

I came away with the conclusion that I either needed more range (400+ miles) or faster charging (under 30 minutes). Seeing that the Gravity had both got me very interested.

 

[Hammerthyme]

I don't have a Gravity. The Gravity owners seem to be getting 2.8 mi/kWh to ~3.1 mi/kWh.

On my March roadtrip in the Gravity I was getting 2.78 miles/kWh over 1200 miles. I did a couple of 350 mile trips in April and have been averaging 3.11 miles/kWh. Big differences seem to be temperature, winds, elevation, and getting past that 2000 mile break-in period. On the 1200 mile trip we used Teslas Superchargers and even there we were getting to 80% in 20-25 minutes.

 

[Cabonzhp]

Given the cars efficiency and cost of using Tesla SCs (auto recommended for every stop both ways by route planning) the trip cost roughly $130 each way and turned a 6 hour return drive into 8. We will definitely by giving the Air a shot for the next trip over this R1S.

 

[BS8899]

Given the cars efficiency and cost of using Tesla SCs (auto recommended for every stop both ways by route planning) the trip cost roughly $130 each way and turned a 6 hour return drive into 8. We will definitely by giving the Air a shot for the next trip over this R1S.

When I first got my AirGT in October 2022, I drove from Paradise Valley AZ (near Scottsdale) to Rancho Palos Verdes (near Long Beach), where I had my second home. My son was attending USC at the time. The range of my AGT was rated at 516 miles. The trip from my Paradise Valley home to my Palos Verdes home was almost exactly 400 miles, door-to-door. That was one of the reasons I picked the AGT.

On multiple trips, I was unable to go from door-to-door (400 miles) on 100% charge. Perhaps I was too chicken to run out of charge without stopping to charge. Now, 3 years later, I have solid data on multiple highway trips that my AGT's efficiency is ~3.5mi/kWh. If you did the math, the 112kW battery will give you a 392 mile range, 8 miles short of commuting non-stop!

So, I'd caution you to think that the Air might take you from Long Beach to Scottsdale in one charge.

Now, you might say, "wait a minute, didn't Lucid demo'ed they drove from Fremont to Santa Monica Pier 2 years ago in an Air-Pure? Wasn't that also almost 400 miles?" Yes, but they didn't do that drive on a high-speed interstate like the I-10. They were on slower highways and byways, probably averaging less than 55 mph.

Details! Details!

 

[Cabonzhp]

Good data. My intention wasn’t that a Pure could do the trip on one charge, but one stop would definitely beat 3

 

[doubletwist]

Given the cars efficiency and cost of using Tesla SCs (auto recommended for every stop both ways by route planning) the trip cost roughly $130 each way and turned a 6 hour return drive into 8. We will definitely by giving the Air a shot for the next trip over this R1S.

FWIW I've averaged 3mi/kWh in my AT on road trips going 80-85mph.

My most recent DCFC wasn't a full charge to 80, but got me from ~10->60% (43.5kwh delivered) in 18 minutes.

On an earlier longer road trip, 922 miles traveled with 7 charging stops, averaging 21min each. That was just using the Nav suggestions, not trying to minimize charging time.

 

[BS8899]

Good data. My intention wasn’t that a Pure could do the trip on one charge, but one stop would definitely beat 3

Yes, I think a Pure can make your trip with 1 charge stop. That said, I don't think you should need 3 charge stops on an R1S. Maybe it is the way you drove?! If I were making your trip in my R1S, I am pretty sure I can do it with 1 charge stop.

 

[RajD]

All of this reinforces my skepticism that the R2 will magically reach 4mi/kWh as Rivian claims with that terribly boxy and poor aerodynamic shape. I know the battery chemistry may be different etc etc. but they have never been an innovative battery or efficiency company. It just doesn’t seem plausible that it will beat the Model Y.

 

[BS8899]

All of this reinforces my skepticism that the R2 will magically reach 4mi/kWh as Rivian claims with that terribly boxy and poor aerodynamic shape. I know the battery chemistry may be different etc etc. but they have never been an innovative battery or efficiency company. It just doesn’t seem plausible that it will beat the Model Y.

Maybe Rivian followed Lucid's methdology and switched to a 5 cycle EPA test to achieved 4 mi/kWh on the R2.

It is all smoke and mirrors, right?!