I've been debating if I should get R1S or the new Bronco and repairability will be a factor for my purchase. I'm pretty sure many of you have seen the $47,000 fender repair bill story but I as far as I can tell that is an extreme case. Not to mention anecdotal. However, Rivian is still a relatively new startup and (from what I can see) doesn't have the network nor the infrastructure to provide for repairs be it certified service shops or DIY repair. EVs in general are not as 'open source' as traditional ICE cars (yet).If I'm wrong about this, please do correct me. The Bronco, on the other hand, is based on the current Ford Ranger and (again, from I what can see) seems to be repairable and already has a steady aftermarket. What are your thoughts and experiences?

R2 is our versatile new midsize SUV with room for five people and all their gear.

Designed for big adventures as well as everyday use with its exceptional utility, performance and capability, R2 is expected to start around $45,000* and is available to reserve today in the U.S. for $100 ($150 in Canada). R2 deliveries are slated to begin in the first half of 2026.

R3 is a midsize crossover designed with even tighter dimensions and at a lower price point than R2.

R3X is the performance variant of R3. It further demonstrates the scalability of our midsize platform and delivers even more dynamic capabilities both on- and off-road.

R2 and R3 will feature two battery sizes. The larger pack will achieve over 300 miles of range on a single charge and offer 0-60 mph acceleration in under 3 seconds for the quickest powertrain configuration.

R2 and R3 are built on an all-new midsize vehicle platform, developed to deliver amazing performance, range and cost efficiency.

This platform consolidates and eliminates parts thanks to intelligent design, including the use of high pressure die castings, a structural battery unit where the top of the pack also serves as the floor, and closure systems that dramatically reduce complexity. R2 and R3 also utilize Rivian’s drivetrain platform and internally developed network architecture, computer topology and software stack.

Three Motor Variants: Leveraging Rivian’s in-house drive unit platform and technology, there will be Single-Motor (RWD), Dual-Motor (AWD), and Tri-Motor (two motors in rear and one in front) configurations, with the quickest configuration delivering 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds.

Structural Battery: Utilizes an all-new 4695 cell that offers significant improvements in energy density and output, estimated to deliver over 300 miles of range on a single charge for both R2 and R3.

Fast Charging:* DC fast charging is compatible with both NACS (native) and CCS (with adapter), charging from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes.

Self Driving: Utilizing our new perception stack featuring 11 cameras, five radars and a more powerful compute platform, R2 and R3 will provide dramatically enhanced autonomous capabilities.

Ever improving and expanding features: As with all Rivian vehicles, Rivian has developed its network architecture, topology of computers and associated full software platform to facilitate frequent software updates – the headroom for feature growth over time is extremely exciting.

**R2 and R3 demonstrate how Rivian’s unmistakable design language adapts to different vehicle sizes and form factors. **

R2's four passenger windows and rear powered glass drop fully, and the powered rear quarter windows vent to invite the outside in, creating a unique open-air driving experience.

With R3, its hatch-style design maximizes space while keeping a sporty, athletic silhouette.

Interior Space

With an extreme focus on rear passenger legroom, even long trips in R2 and R3 are comfortable. With the seats folding completely flat, ample sized front and rear trunks, and additional interior storage, there is space for everyone and all their gear.

Refined Touches

Rivian’s new steering wheel with integrated haptic control dials makes it easier to stay focused on the road ahead.

Materials balance durability and sustainability with easy to clean textiles and finishes.

A new line of Rivian Adventure Gear is also on the horizon.

We'll start later this year with our new Travel Kitchen and Hangout Lights. We are also looking forward to expanding the Adventure Gear assortment in the future with the Rivian Treehouse, our take on the rooftop tent bringing the nostalgia of an epic childhood fort with a lighting system, interior fan and incredible views.

Our custom Bike Mount holds up to two bikes and simply snaps into place easily using our Rear Accessory Ports, no tools needed. Our Cargo Box provides additional storage and can also be paired with our Travel Kitchen to expand your culinary suite with a Water Tank, Cooler and Cookware Set.

Reservations for R2 start today with a refundable deposit of $100 for U.S. residents and $150 for Canadian residents.

Reservations for R3, R3X and for international residents interested in R2 will follow at a later date.

Curious what everyone is using for hauling their dogs around in the back of the R1S. As recommended on another thread on the rivian forum, I am using this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01439XBKE?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1. Size large fits nicely except it doesn't cover the 3rd row arm rests. As always, the products from Canvascovers are very nice, but the open seams just look like a haven for dirt and dog hair.

The Rebelle Rally, the longest off-road map-and-compass rally in the United States, wrapped up Friday evening with a new EV milestone under its belt. This was the first time that a team driving an all-electric vehicle (that would be the Rivian R1T) came in first place. The Rebelle Rally, in which all-women teams competed along a 2,120-kilometer course using only paper maps, compasses, and plotters, is in its eighth year.

The 2023 Rivian R1T, with Lilly Macaruso behind the wheel and Alex Anderson behind the compass and map, took first place in the 4×4 class. (An EV has yet to make the podium in the X Cross class.) Macaruso and Anderson, who are both Rivian employees, came in fourth place in the 2022 Rebelle Rally. This year, in another first, Rivian customer, Many Brezina, took her personally owned R1T in the competition. Brezina, and navigator Alex Gilman, finished 11th.

Update (2023-10-20 @ 3:22 PST) - Wassym has announced they are now adding the feature to Dual Motor vehicles: https://old.reddit.com/r/Rivian/comments/17bpwpg/according_to_at_least_one_user_standard_dual/k5pdgee/

Amazon has a plan to deploy 100,000 electric vans to its delivery fleet by 2030. At the rate it's going, that might happen a little sooner. On Thursday, it announced that it now has 10,000 Rivian electric delivery vans in service—up from 5,000 earlier this July.

Electric vehicle sales continue breaking records as automakers ramp production. Compared to other EV startups like Lucid (LCID) and VinFast (VFS), Rivian (RIVN) is outpacing the pack as registrations continue rising.

Rivian’s EV registrations rise through July

Rivian placed eighth in terms of US registrations from January through July, with 2.8% of the overall EV market, according to recent Experian data (via Automotive News).

The EV maker recorded 2,750 registrations in July for its R1T and R1S electric SUV, a slight improvement over its monthly average of 2,596 through the first half of the year.

From January to July, Rivian’s new registrations reached 18,359 (not including EDVs). Rivian’s R1T electric truck had 7,611 of those registrations, while the R1S had 10,748. The company is transitioning to produce more R1S models to meet the higher backlog. R1S models represented 70% of units of R1 series models built in Q2.

After crushing second-quarter estimates with production rising 50% from Q1 (13,992 units), Rivian raised its guidance for the year to 52,000. According to CEO RJ Scaringe, ramping up its in-house Eduro drive units is a “key enabler” to near-term production performance.

Speaking at Morgan Stanley’s 11th annual Laguna Conference Thursday, Scaringe says the company has “rounded the corner.”

As the EV maker utilizes its Normal, Ill production facility more efficiently, Rivian’s margins are improving. Gross profit per vehicle delivered improved by $35,000 in the most recent quarter.

Despite the progress, the R1T was beat out by Ford’s F-150 Lightning with 11,883 registrations through July. Ford slashed prices in July by up to $10,000, which the automaker says is helping to drive up demand.

Ford’s lowest-priced F-150 Lightning Pro model now starts at $51,990 (with shipping) with 240 miles EPA range. Meanwhile, the Rivian R1T starts at $74,800 (including shipping) with an estimated 270 miles of range.

Outpacing other startups

Despite the strong growth in EV sales in the US, many startups like Lucid, VinFast, and Fisker are struggling to find their market.

Lucid had 348 registrations for its luxury Air EV in July, bringing its yearly total to 3,789 through July. The luxury EV maker dropped prices by up to $12,400 last month, with the 2023 Air electric sedan starting at $82,400.

Production has slipped after peaking in the fourth quarter of 2022, with 4,487 EVs built through the first half of the year. Lucid fell behind Porsche, Cadillac, and Subaru in July’s EV rankings, placing 18th.

Porsche’s sole electric vehicle, the Taycan, recorded 3,935 registrations from January through July, surpassing the Lucid Air.

Analysts point to Lucid’s competition with Tesla, which has slashed prices all year, as the reason for the struggles. Tesla’s Model S now starts at $74,990 with a 405-mile estimated range.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese newcomer VinFast had 19 new VF 8 electric SUV registrations in July, bringing the seven-month total to 170.

VinFast debuted on the Nasdaq stock exchange last month, with its value quickly surpassing that of Ford and GM. However, the EV maker’s value has fallen significantly over the past month, with share prices down over 80% from their peak.

After delivering its first EV in the US in June, Fisker’s Ocean had 30 new registrations in July, bringing the total to 37 for the year. Due to its recent launch, Fisker ranked last among the 26 brands in July.

With Rivian outpacing the group, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said he sees the company as “one of the core EV players over the next decade” last month. He added, “Demand looks strong” and “visibility is improving into 2024.”

Weekly Rivian Responds

Special Edition! Configuration Updates

This week, there was a good amount of confusion surrounding discontinued configuration options and delivery timelines. Candidly, the messages were pretty confusing as we tried to piece together emails from different folks. We went to go talk to Rivian directly to figure out exactly what was going on. Here are the facts:

• Compass Yellow is discontinued. RIP.
• 20" All Terrain Bright Wheels are discontinued.
• The ability to take delivery of Red Canyon combined with Forest Edge Interior has been discontinued (not the individual colors)
• The ability to take delivery of Rivian Blue combined with Forest Edge Interior has been discontinued (not the individual colors)
• There will be an update to vegan leather dashboard options in mid-September that will affect delivery timelines and require preorder holders to make updates to their configuration. We don't know what these changes are yet, the impact they'll have, or which preorder holders are impacted.
  • We (and the community) previously believed that the vegan leather dash options were being discontinued. That's not the case apparently.

Rivian Responds

Phew! Now let's get into the questions from last time. Please note that there will be a delay for the next Rivian Responds, but we can ask up to ten questions this time. Make them good ones!

To get your questions answered, comment below within 48hrs of this post going up.

Please remember that Rivian is a publicly traded company, so you may not get the detail you want about upcoming product, feature, or software timelines. Of course always ask what's most important, but for more detailed answers, try to ask questions about vehicle capability, choices already made (eg, design), or about the company in general.

• What's the status of hands free highway assist and lane change assist that have long been shown on the website as driver+ features?
  • These features are still in development – no details to share on timing quite yet.
• What’s the latest on thermal throttle during DC fast charging? Do we think existing models are ever going to get a software update to allow them to handle 220+ kw for a sustained period of time? Or is this as good as it gets until new physical battery cooling improvements are implemented?
  • Our 2023.30 OTA noted some recent improvements we’ve made to our thermal management systems. We’ll continue to optimize the fast-charging performance of our vehicles over time.
• Any chance of getting the option to switch the rear camera view to the bed camera on the R1T? It would be great to have that option when using a hitch bike rack, when driving with the tailgate down, or when you want to check on cargo in the bed.
  • Owner access to the R1T bed camera will be enabled in the upcoming months!
• When are we going to see improvements to the apps like Alexa, Spotify, Tidal, Netflix, Apple Music etc? And when will we see more apps?
  • We’ll improve existing apps over time – we’re also in the process of adding video streaming capabilities to our vehicles. We’ll launch video streaming as soon as it meets our standards for performance, stability and user experience.
• Is it possible to get a compass and clock displayed on the driver screen in future updates?
  • We’re currently exploring similar functionality for the driver and center display, as well as other customization for our owners. More to come here.

Lastly, I wanted to quickly acknowledge the questions we keep receiving about the tonneau cover fix. We... know. Rivian knows too. The latest update is "Summer 2023" which continues through the end of September.

Rivian Roundup

• Service delays and continued time in the shop hit a chord in the community this week. One user asked for help about Lemon Laws and what to do.
  • Note: This week I passed along a lot of the community's feedback to the service folks given that my truck was in the shop for 3.5 weeks. I was unhappy and I wasn't the only one who experienced this. No news to share other than I communicated that the community is feeling pretty aggravated when it comes to service and that a miss on tonneau fixes would result in some lost support.
• Two cents on the R1S drove (get it? please clap) a bunch of discussion. Super fair feedback!
• So long, Compass Yellow. We love you. We will miss you. BUT! Congratulations to everyone with another special color! Launch Green owners welcome you with open arms.
• Okay, Amish kids checking out the R1T wasn't on my list of things I needed to see, but turns out I did. They're fascinated by it.
• Navigation complaints (and support) is a trending topic seemingly every week! People seem to agree that it's getting better, but still isn't all the way there when it comes to route planning.
• The price comparison of the R1S to the Model X makes the R1S seem very, very worth it.

Haul reflects on a year of ownership

Very positive review but they forgot to mention it handles better than a lot of luxury cars as well.

So I decided to replace my lead acid 12v batteries with lithium a few weeks ago and besides a bunch of error codes that had to be cleared I've had no problems so far. I've decided to keep the old batteries in the frunk just in case scenario....If anyone has how to questions only im glad to try to help. I'll try to update my experience after a few more months including cold weather experience after the winter season.

Vehicles Produced: 13,992 Vehicles Delivered: 12,640

Seems like an impressive quarter.

Hello everyone!

The Official Rivian team wants to meet owners in Las Vegas as well as Salt lake City.

The Las Vegas event will be on July 2nd

The Salt Lake City event will be on July 10th

To RSVP please contact: admin@bayarearivianclub.com

Original Reddit Post

Hello Rivimotes!

This weekend I headed dow to LA from SF to 1) see my friends but also 2) attend an event at the Rivian Venice Hub where Jeff Hammoud, Rivian's Head of Design, was giving a talk. It was super fun event where I got meet folks who are organizing the Rivian Clubs around the US, hang out with Tony (Rivian's Head of Customer Experience), and show the world that, yes, Reddit moderators do go outside.

The talk itself was super interesting and, as I sit here charging with three other R1Ts somewhere on I5 (an increasingly regular sight), I wanted to make sure I passed along what we learned:

Talk Portion

• Jeff wanted to design vehicles since he was six. He grew up in a small town outside of Ontario. Before Rivian, he worked at Jeep and Chrysler. If any one person is ultimately responsible for Rivian's distinctiveness, it's him.
• When Rivian was thinking about making an adventure vehicle, they didn't just think about outdoor adventures. The term needed to broad and encompass all the kinds of adventures people would take — even in their own neighborhoods. Ikea with children? The ultimate adventure.
• Trucks are getting bigger and scarier, with bigger and bigger grills. Rivian didn't want to try to do the same thing. Instead, they wanted something invitational. Strong, yes, but inviting.
• The design itself wants to feel like the past and present at the same time. Jeff called this "Modern Nostalgia."
• Jeff reiterated that he wanted to make something that didn't feel precious and threw only the tiniest bit of shade at adventure vehicles that are so expensive and lux that you don't want to get them dirty. Rivian wants you to get these trucks messy.
• That's a balance too though, and Jeff pointed out that the vehicles needed to aspirational while also presentational. Rivian needed to strike the right balance.
• The designers still use clay for all those wondering if it's just for show. They also mentioned how critical AR and VR was for design lately too — a fact emphasized by the special VR experience the team had set up for the event.

Q&A

• What was the inspiration for the headlights?
  • There wasn't a direct path for the headlights. There were many many iterations and everything from the shape to the placement of them was a process and not something they entered the process with already in mind. The design team avoided things that were "automotive" and, during a brainstorm, a carabiner on the table ultimately is what presented the ovular shape. The place of the headlights up on the light bar itself came from the tie downs. The team realize they needed them for owners to tie down kayaks and the like. When they placed the stadium lights interrupting the light bar, they never moved again and Rivian realized that they had their iconic look.
• How will you capture the same design goodness of the R1 in the R2?
  • The form is already captured and the team knows what they'll look like. The recognizable features of the R1 will carry over — specifically the front profile and lights. There will not be a "big swoopy roofline," but he also shared the design will not be derivative of the R1.
• Charger pad. Note: this was not a question lol
  • "Yes. We know." There is a minor update coming to stop the slipping and sliding with a bigger update coming later down the road. There was no mention as to whether or not existing owner will be able to update.
• Will the Max Pack change the interior configuration of the vehicle?
  • No.
• Any plans for a longer R1T bed size?
  • No. Rivian considered it, but they want the vehicle to be manageable too. Extra length is added with the bed being down and is allowed to hold weight because of the unique hinge design. Being a bigger vehicle went against their brand values.
• What was your most iconic Rivian moment?
  • LA Auto Show. Jeff shared that he was very nervous about the reveal, mentioning that he didn't know if they had pushed it far enough. He didn't enter the reveal feeling overconfident. With all the lines and textures, Jeff worried if it would be too simple and plain. After the event, he was relieved to hear praise about the restraint the design team employed.
• Are there plans for a six seater or a rear captain seat?
  • No.
• How's construction coming along with the GA plant?
  • Well! The team has broken ground and are building out the facility knowing what the R2 will be.
• When will Rivian have V2H (Vehicle to Home) charging?
  • It already does. Jeff mentioned that this is largely marketing and that most EVs can do this today. The real trick is installing a bidirectional charger. If you have one of those, you can do it today.
• How many Rivian logos are on and in the truck?
  • "I won't say. Figure it out." Note: I swear someone got drunk at some point and decided to do this? Can we do that again? I'm curious.
• What's your least favorite customer modification?
  • Blacked out headlights. Jeff seemed fairly passionate about this (lol) and asked to not be roasted. He also added that his favorite modification is actually anything people do to attach gear to the racks.
• Will Rivian ever have a satin paint?
  • No, it goes against Rivian as an adventure vehicle. Satin paint is extremely hard to maintain.
• Is there a roadmap for Driver+?
  • "I'm the wrong guy to answer that."

​

That's Jeff.

That's Tony.

That's Tony and Jeff with the Rivian Club folks! You may recognize a few familiar faces if you've checked out YouTube or the other forums.

I made Tony take a selfie with me.

One other thing I wanted to mention was that, when I chatted with Jeff 1:1, I really got the impression that there is a lot of trust between him and RJ. It's clear that Jeff was able to design something he truly loved and that RJ was encouraging of him throughout the process. That sat really well with me and I appreciated that Rivian seems to let creatives and experts do their thing.

If I met you at the event, please reach out! You can shoot me a DM here or comment. I know it's Reddit and we like to be anonymous blah blah but it was genuinely so nice to meet you all! Thanks for hanging out with me :)

Hope this was interesting! Let me know if you have any more questions about the event or if there's anything I can pass along to Rivian!

Original Reddit Post

Weekly Rivian Responds

To get your questions answered, comment below within 48hrs of this post going up.

Please remember that Rivian is a publicly traded company, so you may not get the detail you want about upcoming product, feature, or software timelines. Of course always ask what's most important, but for more detailed answers, try to ask questions about vehicle capability, choices already made (eg, design), or about the company in general.

• Will it ever be possible to switch CCS trucks to NACS? Or will the adapter be the only option
  • At this time, we don't plan to offer retrofits of CCS charge ports to NACS charge ports in existing Rivian vehicles as this hardware change won’t be necessary to use NACS chargers. We’ll make an NACS adapter available for R1T and R1S as early as spring 2024.
• Will all future trucks be CCS and use an adapter? Or will Rivian switch to NACS after Spring 2024?
  • R1T and R1S will be built with NACS charge ports in 2025. Those vehicles will be able to use an adapter to leverage CCS charging sites. Whether your vehicle is built with a CCS charge port or NACS charge port, adapters will be available so that you have access to Rivian Adventure Network, Tesla Superchargers and third-party CCS networks.
• We still don’t have any pricing info on RAN or the membership cost for things like cellular data. Is there an update here?
  • We’ll introduce pricing at Rivian Adventure Network charging sites in the coming months. In-vehicle connectivity (hotspot) will be complimentary through the end of this year, and we’ll share more details including pricing closer to then.
• Why was the driver monitoring camera deactivated during Driver+?
  • We made this change because the existing camera position and viewing angle didn’t meet our performance requirements. Rivian has been able to achieve current Driver+ functionality using other cameras, sensors and software embedded throughout the R1T and R1S. It’s also important to note that Driver+ remains standard in every Rivian and the deactivation and removal of this interior camera does not impact the safety or functionality of our vehicles, nor our ability to continue to improve Driver+ over time.  
• There have been a lot of instances where Rivian owners have come back to their vehicles and found that they’ve been hit and Gear Guard has recorded nothing. Are there plans to improve Gear Guard to detect more than just visual motion?
  • Gear Guard uses computer vision techniques to detect people while the R1T or R1S is in its “sleep” state. There are two parameters the vehicle balances here: 1) making sure the vehicle optimizes efficiency by not being “awake” at all times and 2) keeping the number of recorded events manageable to owners by not triggering cameras every time there’s a moving object near the vehicle.
  • For reference, Rivian vehicles do have the capability to detect any type of motion event (caused by people, other vehicles, etc.) when the vehicle is moving or awake. So the challenge you’re referencing is specifically capturing events caused by non-humans while the vehicle is in a sleep state. There are a lot of technical trade-offs to consider here, but we’ll continue to explore the feasibility of this based on owner feedback.
• When will we have spare tires available for purchase?
  • In Gear Shop, spare tires are listed as coming this summer. Our current estimate for when they’ll be purchasable is August.
• Are there any updates for when the powered tonneau will be configurable again?
  • We plan on reintroducing the powered tonneau cover to configurator in the future but can’t provide a more specific timeline quite yet.
• Is there a reason for being unable to switch ride heights and modes while driving in Driver+?
  • Great question! It’s important to remember that drive modes and suspension heights change the driving characteristics and performance of your Rivian. With Driver+ engaged, the vehicle is already consuming and reacting to cascades of data in real time. Considering all the variables being processed (like vehicle speed and position, road curvature, and the position of other motorists), limiting the additional variables that the driver can introduce helps optimize for vehicle performance and safety.
  • An example of this is limiting the speed of Rivian vehicles when at max suspension height. We know that raising the vehicle to its full ground clearance means a higher center of gravity and reduced aerodynamic performance – so limiting access to this suspension setting when at highway speeds helps maintain the vehicle’s performance and efficiency.

Trip Planning

We’ve added the following major enhancements to trip planning:

• First phase of integration with A Better Routeplanner (ABRP), the leading electric vehicle route planning software. More ABRP features will follow in future updates.
• Preferences that let you save preferred charging networks and arrival at a destination.
• New Rivian Mobile App version 1.15 or later features that let you:
  • Create trip plan previews and send them to your vehicle. Search for a destination in the Explore tab, then choose Plan.
  • Adjust the departure range from the current range, so it’s easier to plan ahead.

Phone Screen

We’ve added the following new and improved smartphone features to the phone app in the center display:

• An easier-to-navigate Contacts list with A-Z tabs.
• Access to your contact Favorites and Recents.
• A new dial pad with pop-up suggested numbers as you type.
• An easy-to-use Search field.

Driver’s Seat and Steering Wheel Calibration

If the driver’s seat or steering wheel does not have the full range of motion, Roomy entry and exit don’t work or you’re unable to save seat or steering wheel positions to your Driver Profile, it’s likely calibration is lost.

In the past, you’d have to take your vehicle in for service to fix it. You now have the ability to do it yourself by going to Settings > Vehicle > Service on the center display, selecting Driver Seat or Steering Wheel under Driver Position Calibration, and following the instructions on the screen. This returns calibration to the original factory settings and reinstates the full range of motion.

NOTES

• The calibration process will prompt you to vacate the driver’s seat. For easier access to the center display, sit in the front passenger seat before starting calibration.
• Calibration may affect existing Driver Profile seat and steering wheel settings, as well as Roomy entry and exit settings. If these positions don’t seem correct after calibration, readjust to your preference and save the new settings.
• In some cases, if your vehicle detects lost calibration, a notification appears on the driver display asking if you want to calibrate. Follow the directions on the display to complete the tasks.

Additional Improvements

• Heating and cooling:

  • Quickened response to hot ambient conditions and stabilized operation at low-mid ambient conditions.
  • Stabilized blower airflow when the vehicle transitions in and out of varying sun and shade conditions.
  • Optimized driver and center display overheat protection thresholds to help minimize range loss when vehicles are parked in direct sunlight.

• Driver+

  • Deactivated the driver monitoring camera. The deactivation of this interior camera does not impact the safety or functionality of your vehicle.
  • Improved Highway Assist (HWA) availability by no longer shutting it off during travel through overhead gantry electronic toll collection stations.
  • Fixed a rare issue that caused HWA to disengage upon engagement right after a lane change.
  • Fixed a rare issue that incorrect camera visibility notifications appear during cruise control in Towing Mode.
  • Fixed an issue that prevents a hands-off warning after HWA was activated at low speeds.
  • Fixed an issue that incorrectly issued a hands-off warning after Adaptive Cruise Control engagement.

• Improved bird’s eye view image quality when the vehicle is in Kneel mode.

• Improved vehicle Autohold on steep grades.

• Improved detection sensitivity for Incident camera recording.

• Fixed a rare issue that prevented a Drive mode transition when faults were detected.

• Alexa:

  • Added a new Alexa icon and interface that lets you see what’s playing from Alexa in the media application.
  • Increased the stability and availability of Alexa services, particularly in low connectivity areas.
  • Changed the Alexa active icon color in the top notification bar from blue to grey.

NOTE

Alexa no longer supports timers, alarms, and reminders.

• Infotainment
  • Fixed an issue in TIDAL to remove white corners from default album art in night mode.
  • Fixed an occasional issue in the Bluetooth media application where the fly-out would show incorrect album art.
  • Fixed a rare issue that prevented contact information from appearing on the phone fly-out after a contact sync update.
  • Fixed a rare issue that caused vehicle controls in the Access and Security screen to freeze and become unresponsive.
  • Fixed an issue in the Energy app that caused the charge port door to appear yellow on a blue vehicle.
  • Fixed a rare issue where the center display would turn off and then automatically restart.

Rivian announced it would adopt Tesla’s electric vehicle charging standard for its future lineup of vehicles. The deal grants Rivian owners access to thousands of Tesla Supercharger stations across the country and puts Tesla one step closer to becoming the de facto EV charging standard in the US.

Starting in 2024, Rivian will offer adapters to its customers so they can access Tesla Supercharger stations, which use the company’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug and outlet. And in 2025, Rivian will begin to manufacture its R1T trucks and R1S SUVs with Tesla’s charging port, obviating the need for an adapter.

“This agreement makes electric vehicle ownership simpler by offering more ways to fast charge your Rivian vehicle and supports our shared mission to decarbonize transportation,” Rivian said in an email to customers.

The Rivian announcement follows similar announcements from Ford and General Motors about adopting Tesla’s NACS, giving Elon Musk’s company a clear advantage over the incumbent charging standard, CCS, also known as the Combined Charging Standard. CCS is the agreed-upon standard that most EV makers in North America have adopted for DC fast charging.

Rivian said the deal won’t affect its plan to install 3,500 fast chargers at 600 locations over the next few years. The company’s Adventure Network calls for the installation of over 10,000 charging stations, including the slower Level 2 chargers.

Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely recognized as superior to many of the third-party EV charging stations, most of which feature CCS plugs and the less utilized CHAdeMO charging standard. The company says it has 45,000 Superchargers worldwide, 12,000 of which are located in the US. According to the Department of Energy, Tesla operates nearly 2,000 DC fast charging stations in the US, as well as almost 5,000 Level 2 chargers.

Tesla says its Superchargers are nearly perfect in their reliability

And while other EV charging stations struggle with software glitches and faulty chargers, Tesla says its Superchargers are nearly perfect in their reliability. The company says that the average uptime of Supercharger sites last year amounted to 99.95 percent, down marginally from 99.96 percent in 2021.

Until recently, Tesla Superchargers were exclusive to Tesla owners — but that began to change several years ago when the company started offering access to non-Tesla EVs. Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced that Tesla would begin to do the same in the US as a prerequisite to tap into some of the $7.5 billion for EV charging in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Unlike in Europe, Tesla Superchargers in the US use a proprietary connector — this was Tesla’s “competitive moat,” the thing that initially offered protection from other automakers. In order to allow non-Tesla vehicles to access the chargers, the company installed a device called the “Magic Dock,” in which a CCS adapter is applied to the connector.

But now Tesla’s NACS is gaining traction on CCS and could soon become the de facto standard for EV charging in North America. With Ford, GM, and Rivian on board, the question remains: which automaker will come next?