The Rivian R1T has quickly become a favorite for those seeking an electric pickup truck that blends cutting-edge technology with impressive performance and practicality. Among its standout features is a robust Rivian Towing Capacity of 11,000 lbs. This figure alone positions it as a serious contender in the towing market, but the crucial question for EV truck owners is: how does towing affect the range?
Recent real-world tests by All-Electric Family offer valuable insights. In their 500-mile journey, they towed a 7,000 lbs Airstream trailer with their R1T. During the initial part of their trip, the energy consumption was between 1.02 and 1.07 miles per kWh. Given the R1T’s 135 kWh battery, this translates to a towing range of approximately 137 to 144 miles on a single charge. This indicates that when towing a significant load like 7,000 lbs, you can expect around 45% of the R1T’s EPA-estimated 314-mile range.
The family also encountered mountain driving conditions during their trip. While the Rivian R1T handled the uphill inclines effortlessly while towing, as expected, it did impact the range further. Consumption increased to 0.66 mi/kWh, reducing the projected range to just under 90 miles for that segment. This highlights that terrain is a significant factor to consider when towing with any vehicle, especially an electric one.
Over the entire 500-mile trip, the family made five charging stops, incurring a total charging cost of $76.52. This provides a practical perspective on the charging frequency and costs associated with long-distance towing with the Rivian R1T.
In conclusion, the Rivian R1T demonstrates a commendable rivian towing capacity, but as with any electric vehicle, towing significantly reduces its range. Real-world tests indicate around a 45% reduction in range when towing approximately 7,000 lbs. While factors like terrain will further influence this, the R1T still presents itself as a viable option for those needing to tow, especially for shorter to medium distances, with the understanding of more frequent charging stops.
