Battery power has been one of the primary concerns surrounding electric vehicles. Range, in particular, is a sticking point, as recharging an EV isn’t quite as immediate as fueling a combustion car. Thankfully, manufacturers like Rivian do provide extended battery options.
The Standard Pack and Large Pack for the Rivian R1S have different capacities but, overall, adhere to the same charge rate. Let’s take a look at the specs behind both battery packs, and see which one is worth the cost.
Rivian R1S Standard Pack vs Large Pack: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Standard Pack | Large Pack | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 105 kWh | 135 kWh |
| Range | 260 miles | 316 miles |
| Charge Time | 16 hours | 13 hours |
| Max charging power AC | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Max charging power DC | 160 kW | 160 kW |
Rivian R1S Standard Pack vs Large Pack: What’s the Difference?
The effective charging power rate of the standard pack and large pack are the same. Where differences arise, instead, comes from a few other factors.
Range
The range is the primary consideration with either battery pack, and the Large Pack sees a 56-mile bump in range over the Standard Pack. Considering the price difference between the two, it’s hard to suggest the large pack for the dual-motor AWD option from Rivian.
It is a steep investment for a bit more additional range. As previously mentioned, you’re still anchored to the same charging rate for both battery packs.
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One would have to consider whether having an additional 56 miles of range is worth the substantial bump in price when choosing options for their Rivian R1S package. The base range isn’t awful compared to other contemporary EVs.
Package Options
When choosing your Rivian R1S, there are two individual choices to make, and these dictate which battery pack is required. The standard dual-motor AWD can take advantage of the Standard Pack or the Large Pack. Those choosing the quad-motor AWD have only the large pack as an option when selecting the other features of the vehicle.
Part of this is down to the R1S requiring the additional battery capacity to provide power to all four motors on this particular setup. A greater-range battery, the Max Pack, has yet to enter widespread production to aid in extending the range for the quad-motor AWD. Thankfully, the range of the quad-motor AWD isn’t hampered by the additional power draw necessary.
The Large Pack comes standard with the Adventure Package, which has proven to be the most popular option available for the Rivian R1S. Out of the offerings for the electric SUV, it seems that customers are opting for the more expensive option over the more basic Explore Package. In addition to the Large Pack, there are some additional trim options that make the Adventure Package an attractive choice.
Max Pack
The Max Pack extends the range of the Rivian R1S even further, with Rivian aiming for over 400 miles of driving range. Sadly, there have been several setbacks and delays with the delivery of the Max Pack. Rivian initially offered the Max Pack for those preordering or designing their own package.
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Rivian has stated this is due to prioritizing production of the Large Pack and Adventure Package offerings, as that is where the vast majority of preorders have been. The EV manufacturer has had a few hitches regarding the production of their vehicles. This is just the most recent wrinkle in manufacturing, following issues with supply chains during the height of the pandemic.
Rivian R1S Standard Pack vs Large Pack: 4 Must-Know Facts
Standard Pack
- Comes by default with all dual-motor AWD options.
- The primary battery pack offered for Explore Package preorders.
Large Pack
- The most popular option for battery packs.
- The default battery pack in the Adventure Package preorders.
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Rivian R1S Standard Pack vs Large Pack: Which One Is Better?
Choosing the battery pack for your EV is one of the most important decisions surrounding it. It does come down to what you value in your EV, however. Budget-wise, the Large Pack is an unnecessary expense for those purchasing the dual-motor AWD option from Rivian.
The additional range isn’t that substantial when considering it. Those choosing the cheaper Explore Package could be well served just choosing the Standard Pack. That said, the Large Pack is the most popular offering from Rivian at the time of writing.
It is also the only option available for those opting for the Adventure Package or choosing the quad-motor AWD to power their vehicle. Rivian has made an incredibly enticing electric vehicle package, and one can only hope they deliver on their promises of offering up a greater operational range as they continue to grow.
The Rivian R1S Standard and Large Pack: Looking Forward
As Rivian continues to make advancements to EV technology, we may see more updates to these battery packs. In the following six to 18 months, we may see the following battery pack improvements:
- Improved energy density possibly through the use of solid-state batteries.
- Faster charge times to improve convenience for EV drivers.
- Lower costs thanks to a rise in EV popularity in the market, and increasing research into battery technology making the packs more affordable.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mike Mareen/Shutterstock.com.
