Rivian plans LFP cell, warmth pump, 800V improve; 2022 manufacturing plan halved to 25,000

Rivian reveals updates on R1T, R1S, and EDV vans manufacturing; details about pre-orders; And what was its most vital product replace in months, as a part of a Q&A held on Thursday and a letter to shareholders.

The firm is step by step ramping up manufacturing with plenty of matches and begins associated to the supply-chain. As of March 8, Rivian reported that it has produced 1,410 automobiles in 2022. With the automobiles already reported in 2021, it has constructed a complete of two,425 automobiles.

Rivian presently has roughly 83,000 pre-orders from clients within the US and Canada for the 2 fashions of R1T vans. Partly on account of persistent provide points, it’s now forecasting a complete manufacturing of 25,000 vans in 2022 – half of what was beforehand estimated.

In addition, Rivian revealed a sequence of expertise surprises with its quarterly replace. Perhaps most surprisingly, the “260+ miles” normal pack, which as a part of final week tried to draw extra folks poor communication price hikewill incorporate a “new pack architecture” with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cell chemistry as a substitute of the high-nickel NCA cells of different fashions.

LFP cells have seen widespread use within the Chinese EV marketplace for greater than a decade, though they’re comparatively uncommon within the US market – apart from the lately launched base model. Tesla Model 3,

rivian battery pack [from video]

Rivian Battery Submodule [from video]

Rivian cooling plate between battery layers [from video]

On the plus facet, these cells might be charged as much as 100% frequently, and the speed of cost is extra constant and predictable. On the opposite hand, as they age, it’s a troublesome take a look at of auto producers’ battery administration methods, as particular person cells have the next voltage variance than typical NMC cells.

But there’s one other potential subject with LFP cells that could be of better concern to Rivian: They cannot retailer as a lot power in excessive chilly versus typical lithium-ion cells. This signifies that driving in chilly climate complicates the demand for extra power, affecting the vary extra as temperatures drop far beneath freezing.

Rivian additionally famous that it’s growing battery cells in-house. Like fellow unique EV makers Tesla and Lucid, it Uses only cylindrical cells,

Rivian Compares Dual Motor and Quad Motor R1 Models

Another main change is the introduction of its upcoming in-house motor expertise by Rivian. The new motor expertise will debut in its RCV platform, underpinning the Amazon-bound EDV van, the place it will likely be supplied in single-motor front-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive variations. The new motor expertise strikes to vans by the top of 2022, then to R1 merchandise – together with quad motor variations, additionally within the second half of 2023.

“By using this motor in both our consumer and commercial platforms, we intend to achieve cost efficiency, provide an accessible price point, and expand our addressable market,” the corporate mentioned. items and are presently conducting validation assessments.

Rivian Dual Motor Components

Rivian Dual Motor Components

Rivian R1T quad-motor AWD chassis

Rivian R1T dual-motor AWD chassis

The firm additionally mentioned that it’ll “continue to make significant investments” in its next-generation platform, which incorporates new in-house drive items, charging methods and a warmth pump. Will provide heat-pump-based thermal methods beneath improvement better cold weather efficiencyAccording to the corporate.

In addition, as a part of the 800-volt revamp, Rivian says it would embrace an built-in onboard charger, a DC-to-DC converter and a DC-to-AC converter, “where the power stages of the DC-AC And AC-DC are bi-directional and share semiconductors, magnetics and controllers.”

Rivian’s electrical vans had been designed round a 400-volt battery pack and system voltage. But as CEO RJ Scaring identified inexperienced automobile report In 2018, vans were designed from the start to upgrade Up to 800 volts, together with a pack that may be simply tailored to mathematical variations.

A bidirectional residence charger and associated residence power merchandise are additionally beneath improvement.

Rivian Waypoints Destination Charging

The firm additionally mentioned it’s investing in community structure enhancements and a “simplified electronics topology,” with extra highly effective processing for infotainment, an expanded sensor suite, and a next-generation laptop platform for autonomy.

Despite the low goal set for 2022, CEO RJ Scaring known as manufacturing charges at his Illinois plant “in line with expectations,” noting that there have been common check-ins with suppliers to lift the speed. High inflation and delivery prices had been additionally famous as points.

Rivian could make about 150,000 automobiles a yr at its Illinois plant, so if all goes in accordance with plan it will likely be at a fraction of its capability for the yr. The firm plans to ramp up a Second manufacturing plant in GeorgiaCapable of producing 400,000 automobiles a yr beginning 2024.