Rivian OTA Brings Better Range and Cool Winter Weather Features for R1S and R1T

by Chris Teague

Published: December 20th, 2022

rivian ota brings better range and cool winter weather features for r1s and r1t

Over-the-air (OTA) updates have made it relatively easy for automakers to add new vehicle features and improve or fix existing functions. The technology is especially impressive with EVs, where companies can make tweaks that impact major vehicle characteristics like range and performance. With its most recent OTA, Rivian made significant improvements to the R1S and R1T, making them more efficient and friendlier for people living where the air hurts their faces in winter.

Rivian’s release notes state that snow mode softens throttle response and reduces regenerative braking to increase stability and control. Snow mode also changes traction control settings and works with the auto-hold system to improve safety when stopping. The drive mode is intended for on-road use, so drivers heading off the pavement still need to use the Off-Road All-Terrain mode.

Further cold-weather enhancements include a new cabin preconditioning feature. Using the Rivian app version 1.9 or later, the driver can preheat the front and second-row seats, turn on the steering wheel heating, and activate defrost.

More impressively, the update package improved efficiency for the R1S and R1T. The R1T’s range improved from 314 miles to 328, and the R1S improved from 316 to 321. Those figures are for vehicles equipped with the quad-motor drivetrain and large battery pack. The automaker also offers a Max pack battery that delivers up to 400 miles of range.

The update includes other improvements for the infotainment system, safety, and battery longevity. The automaker said the vehicles now offer data and privacy settings that allow owners to limit sharing information such as exact location.

[Image: Rivian]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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7 comments

SCE to AUX on Dec 20, 2022

As a two-time EV owner, I've never understood the value of pre-heating a stationary vehicle - all that does is burn kW in the interest of comfort; it certainly won't improve range.
Remote defrost could save time clearing the windshield, but defrost is nearly instantaneous in an EV anyway.

As for Rivian, the MAX battery pack remains vaporware. Also, hopefully they have improved their navigation - reviewers say it's terrible.

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- 95_SC on Dec 20, 2022
  
  I figured it was to knock the chill off while it was still plugged into the wall. Once the cabin is warm the heated seats may suffice. I don't do it, but I don't live up North either. If I needed to thaw it out every morning I'd rather do that plugged in. People do the same with remote start on ICE cars.
  
  Like
- Probert on Feb 12, 2024
  
  Preheat when plugged in - use less energy than getting the cabin heated on the road. Also comfort and convenience - people like that.
  
  Like
Cprescott on Dec 20, 2022

One has to wonder how much EXTRA electricity is required to keep these batteries at optimum temperature in the cold? This further highlights why EV's are promoted with false economies of savings.

2 Reply
- See 2 previous
- SCE to AUX on Dec 20, 2022
  
  It takes a lot of energy, simply because of the thermal mass of the battery. Despite this, there is an operational savings over ICE, but it's not the EPA rating, and the mfr won't tell you.
  Functionally, I think these conditioning features only warm the battery just before a scheduled charging session - not during the entire drive time.
  I rarely use public charging, but during a recent session in the cold I noticed that my battery temperature rose 30 F in the 11 minutes I was charging at 67 kW. This was a 2.4C charge rate on the small 28 kWh battery in my car. That sip got me 35% for about $1.50.
  With such a dramatic temperature rise, I don't really see a need to pre-condition, but I suppose it could save a few minutes on a larger battery.
  
  Like
- EBFlex on Dec 20, 2022
  
  "This further highlights why EV's are promoted with false economies of savings."
  Everything surrounding the promotion of EVs is false. It's a house of cards.
  
  1
- Probert on Feb 12, 2024
  
  Not much. My EV does fine in the winter. Around 20% loss of range including snow tires etc... Not really an issue.
  As to house of cards - about 16% of all new cars sold last year were EVs. Big house - a lot of cards.
  
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