Thread: Rivian 4x4 EV for Australia

Rivian is taking a refundable $1,000 deposit for deliveries slated in late 2020 with prices starting at $69,000 for the R1T and $72,500 for the R1S before a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Nov 26, 2018

So 100K in Australia without taxes or freight. So I guess at least $120K at retail . Looks like a Tesla ute.

Regards Philip A.

...yes Rivian is the real competitor for the new Defender. ...with up to 660km range, it begins to look viable - although the top spec model will be expensive initially. It all depends on price point and future proofing for EV's in the next 5 years.

The headlights are humorous to say least.

...next will be a camper trailer with a bed of batteries and a solar panel lid, as back-up for bush trips.

...then hydrogen flow batteries...fast fill every 500km, servo's can be retro-fitted, new anode service every 5000km - $65.00.
New "refillable" battery tech could allow electric cars over 5000km range | The Driven

Within 5 years it will be standard for EV's to have 600km+ range and rapid chargers will be at every roadhouse in Australia.

Rivian possibly the first proper off-road EV in 2020...

This guys report after the Rivian launch is worth watching / comparison with Tesla: YouTube

Rivian is still years behind Tesla, even if they licence IP from Tesla. Tesla have had a now quite a few models and the production line experience of EV, now in its 10th year of production. Its taken them quite a while to get to their target of 5K cars per week production, which they just achieved recently. They have had their fair share of problems, internally and externally. Musk is passionate about EV and its social good, Rivian and Amazon have quite different priorities. I'd not even consider a Rivian for at least 3 years even if I could afford one. I'd be wary of a manufacturer backed by Amazon.

Originally Posted by Zeros

Within 5 years it will be standard for EV's to have 600km+ range and rapid chargers will be at every roadhouse in Australia.

What are you - the Oracle?

Dont bank on it. Cheaper Evs are needed to capture the market. Cheaper Evs are likely to have less range. Most city folk don't need 600km range.

My bet is that the bulk of EVs selling in 5 years time will be cheaper 150-300km run abouts. With 600km+ Evs weighing at least 2.5ton and sold at an exclusive premium.

Originally Posted by manic

What are you - the Oracle?

Dont bank on it. Cheaper Evs are needed to capture the market. Cheaper Evs are likely to have less range. Most city folk don't need 600km range.

My bet is that the bulk of EVs selling in 5 years time will be cheaper 150-300km run abouts. With 600km+ Evs weighing at least 2.5ton and sold at an exclusive premium.

...more an Augur.

Your prophecy kinda makes sense, but I reckon most will want more than 300km range. Not many really want the daggy city electric buzz box. They want something that they can take away for the weekend too.

Short commutes within a city should be covered by public transport. In future private vehicles will be banned from inner city areas.

The cheaper EV's are definitely on their way, but I reckon the tide will turn through aspiration - led by vehicles like Rivian, which are much more pragmatic than Tesla, whilst still being very desirable. In 5 years there will be a Rivian ute or equivalent for $60k

Hopefully in 5 years time we will start to see an alternative to giant lithium battery packs. If not, majority of EVs sold will likely be models with the cheaper/smaller battery pack option.

If they can incorporate hydrogen refills for extended range, it's game over for ICE and the super charger network. All the heavy 600km pure lithium evs will start to look a tad rediculous

Yes hydrogen could be the other game changer, although the cost of hydrogen fuel is still very high by the sounds of it, 5-10 times that of petroleum. The attraction of EV’s is the potential for free refueling via home renewable energy generation and low cost supply elsewhere. The advantage of hydrogen is range and speed of fill ups. But battery tech will continue to improve, as will charging options. ...EV | Fuelcell hybrids perhaps?