Rivian just managed to get even more range out of its electric truck.
The new dual-motor model of the R1T pickup may not be as powerful as the quad-motor version, but it’s a lot more efficient. In fact, the company is claiming that the vehicle can travel more than 400 miles on a single charge when equipped with its Max battery pack.
Earlier this year, Rivian announced plans to release a more accessibly priced dual-motor R1T, which will be available as either a standard or Performance model. The standard version of the pickup, which launched in the second half of 2021, has an electric motor located on each wheel, while the new version would only have one on each axle. Unsurprisingly, the loss of two motors also comes with a drop in power. The quad-motor R1T produces 835 hp, while the standard dual-motor truck produces 533 hp and the Performance version 665 hp.
A lower price isn’t all that the dual-motor R1T has to offer, though. Last week, Rivian posted a video to X, formerly known as Twitter, revealing that both versions of the dual-motor R1T have an EPA-estimated range of 410 miles when equipped with the 180 kWh Max battery pack and 21-inch wheels. When the car is equipped with a 135 kWh Large battery pack and 21-inch wheels, its range drops to 355 miles. The quad-motor R1T, meanwhile, has a maximum range EPA-estimate range of 328 miles.
The automaker is only claiming the dual-motor R1T as its most efficient model, but, as far as we can tell, it’s also the longest-range electric pickup you can buy right now. The other battery-powered pickups currently on the market, the Ford F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV, have maximum ranges of 320 miles and 381 miles, respectively. The upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and Tesla Cybertruck all promise a driving range of 400 miles or more, but none of them have gone on sale yet.
Rivian is taking orders for the dual-motor R1T now through its website. The standard truck starts at $73,000 and the Performance version at $78,000. Be warned, though, the Max battery pack is an $18,000 add-on. A dual-motor R1S SUV, which starts at $78,000, is also available to order, but the brand has yet to announce range for the model.