Tacoma Vs. Rivian

I sold the TRX for an $8k profit. I didn’t expect my preorder for a R1T to be available until next year but Rivian emailed me in September with the option to get one. Couldn’t resist since I’ve been waiting two years for it.

 

Rivian OTA update brings 'Knell Mode' for those of the Catholic persuasion.

https://motorsport.tv/embed/NmDkmTSl-rivian-introduces-kneel-mode-on-r1t-and-r1s

 

Or for…other activities.

 

My sister is super short so she was excited about this although she was having issues getting it to work yesterday when she dropped off the R1S for stealth PPF and ceramic coating.

 

It works in mine. Tried it out for shits and giggles and then turned it off. I’m not short enough that it matters for me.

 

Brother-in-law explained that it had to be in the proper mode first, before it would kneel.

 

It’s just a selection in the vehicle settings screen. Once you select it and then stop and shift to park it automatically lowers. Once you start driving it goes back to whatever suspension setting you had selected.

 

It’s going to be interesting to see how the charging infrastructure builds out. I don’t think we need that many DC fast chargers but there will need to be a lot of level two AC chargers at businesses, workplaces, apartments, etc.

The best reaction so far was a guy asking where the engine was as I put groceries in the frunk.

 

Businesses are already offering free EV charging to both employees (companies like Nike) and for customers (small businesses like the Tillamook Creamery, that want you to spend time/$ there). One additional benefit is that these spots tend to be the closest to the building that you plan on going to, just because they need to source the power somewhere.

 

I like the primo parking spots when I plug in. Tbh L1/2 should be every parking spot, buuuut

 

You know this is only going to work when like half a dozen employees have electric vehicles. They’re not going to be offering you premium parking and free charging when everybody shows up with an electric car. Hell, you’ll be lucky if they even give you the opportunity to charge at work.

 

Yeah in the meantime I'm enjoying the nice spots while I can get them. L3 is useless to me, though...

 

Charging is incredible cheap when it’s level 1. A level 1 120v/15amp plug would deliver ~15kw in an average 8hr work day and cost the company about $2 in electricity. Depending on vehicle being charged that’s anywhere from 30-60 miles range. There’s no fancy technology required, just a post with an outlet on it.

 

So the end result of electrification is a trickle charger that barely covers the range of your typical commute? I thought electric was supposed to be BETTER than what we currently have.

 

I guess you could conclude that if you’re a negative Nancy. You could also look at it as your boss giving you the equivalent of 2-4 gallons of gas a day. If you can commute to work for free or close to free what do you have to complain about? With this approach you could potentially never stop to charge the vehicle anywhere, it would all be taken care of at work and at home. That is an improvement over weekly gas station stops in my opinion.

A “trickle charge” approach to EV charging is not only the easiest to implement with the lowest impact on infrastructure but is also the best way to charge the batteries for longevity. Fast chargers are designed for road tripping not daily use.

 

Most people install L2 charging at home. Cheaper to charge at home.