Rivian Unveils Electric Pickup Truck

Today Plymouth, Mich.-based Rivian Automotive LLC took the wraps off its first vehicle, the all-electric R1T pickup truck, ahead of this week’s Los Angeles auto show.

Due in late 2020, the four-door R1T is expected to start at about $69,000. The truck will seat five people and is about the size of a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado in regular cab configurations. The Rivian pickup has a 136-inch wheelbase and is 79 inches wide, while standing 71 inches tall and stretching to 216 inches from bumper to bumper.

The R1T will be available with a choice among three quad-motor systems: 300 kW (402 hp), 522 kW (700 hp) and 562 kW (754 hp). Rivian says the top-end variant generates 826 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in three seconds. The truck can tow as much as 11,000 lbs and has a payload capacity of 1,763 lbs., according to the company.

Three battery capacities are available: 105 kWh, 135 kWh and 180 kWh. The smaller battery provides a 230-mile driving range, while the midsize and larger units are estimated at 300 and 400 miles, respectively.

The R1T’s “skateboard” platform (above) packages the battery and electric drivetrain under the floor of the vehicle. This creates 11.7-cu-ft of storage under the hood and allows for a 12.4-cu-ft transverse “gear tunnel” (below) tucked between the cab and pickup bed. There’s also a 7-cu-ft sealed bin beneath the pickup bed.

The pickup bed is equipped with three 110-volt power outlets for accessory tools. There’s also a built-in compressed air source for filling tires.

Interior highlights include three display screens. A 15.6-inch touchscreen dominates the middle of the dashboard. A 12.3-inch screen is used for the instrument cluster, and a 6.8-inch screen at the back of the center console provides climate control and infotainment functions for rear-seat passengers.

Rivian says the R1T will be equipped with a host of sensors and high-definition maps that allow for Level 3 autonomous vehicle capability. The pickup truck also will be capable of over-the-air software updates, according to the carmaker.

Rivian plans to unveil an SUV variant of the pickup tomorrow. Both models will be built at the former Mitsubishi Motors Corp. manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill., which Rivian purchased in early 2017. The company describes the trucks as premium electric “adventure vehicles” that will compete against Land Rover.