Rivian R1T Winter Range Test

We see if the R1T can make the 211-mile journey from New Jersey to Vermont in sub-freezing temperatures.

Rivian R1T winter range test

Tom Moloughney

By: Tom Moloughney

Feb 24, 2023 at 8:07pm ET

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Electric vehicles do a lot of things really well, and often better than their combustion counterparts. However, cold weather performance isn't one of them, as EV batteries aren't capable of delivering the same driving range as they do when they are warmer.

A couple of months ago I posted the results of a cold-weather road trip I did with my Ford F-150 Lightning when I drove from my home in northern New Jersey to my in-law's home in southern Vermont.

The F-150 Lightning made the trek without requiring me to stop along the way to charge, and I arrived at my destination after covering 211 miles with 3% state of charge remaining. I wanted to see how the Rivian R1T would compare on the exact same route, and in very similar weather conditions.

Rivian R1T winter range test versus F-150 Lightning

So last week I charged up the R1T and headed north with my wife to see how the R1T would perform at highway speeds, in below-freezing temperatures, and with an altitude climb of roughly 1,100 feet. We set the air pressure to the manufacturer's recommended 48 PSI, set the heating to 70° F and on the lowest fan setting, and put the R1T in Conserve driving mode.

Conserve driving mode decouples the rear motors and turns the R1T into a front-wheel-drive vehicle and it's the most efficient driving mode. However, Rivian warns against over-using Conserve mode because it puts too much strain on the front motors, so it's not the right driving mode for all of your driving. Just use it on long trips when you need the extra efficiency and you'll be fine.