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Chevy Silverado EV vs Rivian R1T: How two EVs handled the iconic Mint 400 off-road race

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1.5K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  Rthardison  
#1 ·

SEV handily beats the Rivian. Not bad for an old proto 8WT.

SEV: Call it the Mint 73
The truck crossed the finish line with a 40% state of charge. That means it averaged .6 miles/kWh — a bit better than the team was expecting. It took the team 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete the course, so their average speed was about 34 miles per hour. Not too shabby for a big ol’ truck ... “We just cruised,” said Stielow “No problems at all.”

For Rivian, it’s the Mint 146
Yes, the Rivian has to charge its 149 kWh battery to make the two laps and luckily there is a 350 kW charger just a mere quarter-mile from the race course. The team only has to enter and exit the course at the same point.

I arrived at a scene of controlled chaos.

The R1T blew an air spring at race mile 50 or so.

The Rivian competed in the EV Production class; the Chevrolet, as a vehicle that is currently not offered to the public, was in the EV Open class. And each truck was in a class of one ... Regardless, since both trucks finished, both are considered class winners and will take home a first place trophy.
 
#5 ·
I wish Rivian offered a larger battery for those that tow things.
Don’t wait for it, this is the result of using cylinders and LFP, which offer a lower energy density than pouch NMCA of GM batteries (both the packaging and the chemistry are more energy dense). AFAIK only GM put on the big boy pants and gave us he-men batteries. Those wussie boy-toy vehicles try to distract us from noticing that basically they’re just cell phones with wheels (except even cell phones use pouch) 😂

But yeah I never understood why people go on about cylinders, even falsely claiming they’re better. Same for LFP. Sure, if you want low cost jelly bean SUV’s use cylinder LFP and enjoy some fat margins, but to make vehicles people actually want you have to deliver the goods, meaning big boy battery. GM got those 500 miles by pulling out all the stops - every last trick they could to eek efficiency and maximum battery.
 
#3 ·
Interesting they both had the same efficiency .6 mi per kWh. Truck with the biggest battery wins!

I wish Rivian offered a larger battery for those that tow things.
Rivian might not physically have enough room. What makes the efficiency during the race more interesting is how much more the Silverado weighs than the Rivian.


SEV handily beats the Rivian. Not bad for an old proto 8WT.
The Rivian and Silverado were in different classes and the Rivian completed 2 laps while the Silverado’s class only one. So, the Silverado didn’t beat anything. Each class had one vehicle.
 
#14 ·
I too feel the range tests don’t mean much. In the real world your range will vary…greatly. These range test videos get views because most consumers have range anxiety and don’t trust EPA numbers.

If you really want to know what the range will be on the routes and speeds you travel use ABRP! This range will change with wearher conditions too though.

I will admit though that checking ABRP is not as entertaining as watching a YouTuber run a battery dead…but it is a more productive use of your time 😁

PS The thing most folks new to EVs should be worried about is the quality and availability of fast charging options on the routes. In todays world where most EVs are going 250+ miles the charging is more important IMO.