Report: Rivian Plans Big Changes for the R1 in 2025

by Chris Teague

Published: May 22nd, 2024

report rivian plans big changes for the r1 in 2025

The Rivian R1S and R1T have been on sale for a while now, and the automaker reportedly has significant changes planned to keep them relevant. Electrek found a document posted to Rivianforums.com that shows the automaker will introduce new battery configurations and offer a more affordable entry-level trim for the often very expensive EVs.

The automaker looks poised to shift to a cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry for the 2025 R1 models, making them more affordable and durable than the current offerings. They should also cut reliance on conflict minerals. LFP batteries aren’t as energy-dense as lithium-ion systems, but they’re more durable, letting owners charge to 100 percent every time instead of limiting charging to prolong battery life.

Rivian is also expected to introduce heat pumps to the R1 vehicles. Current models lack the components, which are more efficient than resistive heating coils, making the vehicles much better for people not living in the Southwest. The document also showed that the R1 will retain its CCS charging port instead of shifting to NACS, though the company is already shipping adapters to let owners use Tesla’s Supercharger network.

The R1 updates will come roughly a year before we see the automaker’s newest vehicles, the R2 and R3. No pricing details are available yet, but they’re expected to be smaller and more affordable than Rivian’s current offerings.

[Images: Rivian]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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3 of 4 comments

SCE to AUX on May 22, 2024

Rivian claims the R2 will start around $45k.

Not switching to NACS sooner than later is a mystery.

I wonder where they will source the LFP battery; I think Tesla's LFP batteries come from China, which reduces or eliminates their Federal subsidy when used.

1 Reply
- THX1136 on May 22, 2024
  
  SCE: perhaps they are wanting to use up the connectors they already have before switching over? That way they have no dead inventory.
  
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3SpeedAutomatic on May 24, 2024

IIRC, both China and the EU use a standardized charger connection.
About time the US & Canada to follow.
Would take some of the anxiety out of an EU purchase and accelerate adoption. 🚗🚗🚗

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