Rivian has confirmed that their all-electric R1T Pickup truck is being delayed due to a number of external factors. The EV start-up company expects first deliveries of the eagerly anticipated pickup truck by next summer. The Rivian R1T Pickup is scheduled to begin production in August with first customer deliveries expected in June 2021. Rivian has around 10,000 pre-orders to date. Entry-level prices remain a mystery. However speculation asserts prices for R1T could start from $69,000, the top-spec version is expected to retail for over $100,000.
The Rivian R1T will be available in three trim levels, or rather three power grades. Or you could say three range editions based on mileage, 105 kW, 135 kWh and 180- kWh. Power is rated at between 300 kW an 562 kW (400 hp / 753 hp) and between 560 nm and 1,120 nm, depending on which variant you opt for. Top speed is rated at 125mph and the 0-62mph dash is rated at between 3 seconds to 4.9 seconds depending on spec.
Rivian is claiming a total range of 400 miles on a single charge with a towing capacity of up to 5.5 tonnes. All RT1’s will feature a quad motor system, which means 4-wheel drive capability. Rivian will manufacture the RT1 at Mitsubishi’s former manufacturing facility in Illinois. The factory has been retooled with new equipment at an expense of over $70 million.
Rivian has numerous backers including Ford. Amazon has sunk $700 million into the venture. In a separate round of funding in early July 2020, Rivian raised an additional $2.5 billion. In the build-up to the launch of the RT1 Rivian will divulge further details about vehicle features, charging capabilities, and networks.
The Rivian R1T will be followed a few months later by the R1S, SUV. Rivian will have to sell a lot more vehicles than 10,000 initial pre-orders to stay afloat. The whole business does not make any sense at the moment. One assumes a target of 50,000 vehicle sales per year would be at least the minimum Rivian is looking for.
After all, an electric vehicle costing £100,000 is aimed at the luxury end of the automotive market. However, people are wanting to make the switch from fossil fuel-powered cars to electric. The latter is where Rivian stands to gain.
