FYI: Rivian’s recent advancements have caught industry attention, potentially setting a new standard in EV innovation with significant software and battery technology upgrades.
Tesla May Reign, But Rivian is Stepping Up
There’s no denying Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly when it comes to software prowess. However, Rivian is steadily gaining ground as an underdog that deserves attention.
Rivian: Strategic Partnerships and Innovations
Rivian recently made headlines by signing a licensing deal with Volkswagen Group to utilize its software and electrical architecture. This move sets the stage for Rivian to adopt advanced technology and bring new capabilities to its fleet.
Major Upgrades to the Rivian R1S and R1T
The startup has also rolled out significant upgrades to its second-generation R1S and R1T models. Among these upgrades, the introduction of a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack for the base models stands out. This new battery dramatically enhances charging times, making the EVs even more practical for everyday use.
Why Faster Charging Matters
Charging an electric vehicle takes considerably longer than filling up a gasoline car. The challenge lies in safely and efficiently transferring a high voltage of electricity. This is a common hurdle for charging companies, battery manufacturers, and automakers, but they are persistently innovating to shorten charging times.
InsideEVs’ Testing Highlights Rivian’s Progress
Kyle Conner, host of the YouTube channel Out of Spec Reviews, recently examined the charging curve of the 2025 Rivian R1S both before and after a software update. Conner found that the software significantly improved charging times, making the base battery package the optimal choice for most consumers.
Benefits of LFP Chemistry
According to Recurrent, a battery health and data start-up, LFP chemistry holds numerous benefits compared to traditional nickel-manganese-cobalt packs:
- Durability: Greater longevity and higher operating voltage.
- Cost: More affordable raw materials and manufacturing.
- Ethics: Avoids controversial materials like cobalt.
- Longevity: Slower degradation over time.
However, LFP batteries do have lower energy density and reduced range, especially in colder climates. Despite these trade-offs, the advantages often outweigh the drawbacks for many use cases, and several EVs, including the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3, employ LFP packs.
Real-World Testing & Results
When Conner connected the new R1S to the Alpitronic Hypercharger 400, the vehicle initially took around 1 hour and 15 minutes to charge from 0-100%. Following a software update, this time was cut by 15 minutes, allowing the R1S to go from flat to full charge in under an hour. This performance makes the base R1S the quickest charging variant.
During tests, the R1S reached a peak charging rate of 218 kilowatts, maintaining over 200 kW from 5-25% before tapering off around 40%. Impressively, the R1S could add about 90 miles of range in just 15 minutes, making it an excellent option for road trips. Its range test results showed approximately 240 miles on the highway, slightly below Rivian’s stated 270-mile range in mixed conditions. The vehicle boasts a usable battery capacity of 92.5 kilowatt hours.
Comparing with Older Models
The first-generation Rivian R1T and R1S models took around 40-45 minutes to charge from 10-80% in InsideEVs’ tests, significantly slowing down as they approached 80%. Early launch edition models with the larger 128.1 kWh pack took 72 minutes to charge from 10-90%, according to Car and Driver testing.
Summary
Rivian’s strategic partnerships and technological upgrades position the company as a formidable competitor in the EV market. With improved charging times and the adoption of LFP battery technology, the second-generation R1S and R1T models are not just practical but also promise increased durability and affordability. As Rivian continues to innovate, the EV market and consumers stand to benefit from these rapid advancements.
For more insightful updates and analyses, follow @automotivefyi on X and visit Automotive.fyi for all the latest news in the automotive world. If you have any news tips, email us at tips@automotive.fyi.
William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
