Rivan: The Electric Truck and SUV Startup That Caught Everyone’s Attention At The L.A. Auto Show


Rivan: The Electric Truck and SUV Startup That Caught Everyone’s Attention At The L.A. Auto Show

At the 2018 L.A. Auto Show, one truck and one SUV made waves, both made by a manufacturer that nobody had seemingly heard of: Rivan. The two concepts, the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV, are battery-electric off-road vehicles that are claiming over 400 miles of driving range, 3-second 0-60 times, and an 11,000 pound towing capacity. That is pretty lofty for a company that a couple of weeks ago, most people didn’t know existed. 

The company has undergone a couple of name changes since it was first founded as Mainstream Motors in 2009. The man behind the vision is a 35-year-old named R.J. Scaringe who appreciated cars, but he wanted to see something more sustainable than what was already on the market. Originally the plan was to make a car that cost around $25,000 and got 60 miles per gallon of gasoline. Concept cars were teased but didn’t materialize. The focus shifted from fuel cars to electric, the company acquired the former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois for a manufacturing base and has facilities in Michigan and California and an engineering location in the U.K.

So what about the specifications? For both vehicles, three battery pack levels determine the overall performance. A 105kWh pack delivers 402 horsepower and 413 ft/lbs of torque and offers a range around 240 miles and a 0-60 MPH time of 4.9 seconds. The 135 kWh unit provides 754 horsepower and 823 ft/lbs and a range of just over 300 miles with a 0-60 of three seconds, and a 180 kWh unit puts 700 horses, 823 ft/lbs of torque, a range of over 400 miles and a 3.2-second trip to sixty within reach. If this sounds like a flash in the pan deal, don’t be too sure: the order books are already taking deposits for fall 2020 delivery on the truck and 2021 delivery for the sport-ute. Prices start at $69,000 for the truck and $72,500 for the R1S, but keep in mind the federal EV credits…those numbers come down to $61,500 for the truck and $65,000 for the SUV.

Somewhere, Elon Musk must be grinding his teeth over these two. 


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3 thoughts on “Rivan: The Electric Truck and SUV Startup That Caught Everyone’s Attention At The L.A. Auto Show

  1. David

    I’ll give them a punchers chance to make it…it will be an uphill battle…I do like that they were, worrying about engineering, instead of headlines. But…

    I’ve said to friends before…until these conditions are met, electric cars will be just for hardcores. The conditions are…

    1: pricing must make the vehicle affordable for use as a everyday go to work…average joe car
    2: it needs to be able, to travel 450-500 miles on a charge…with all the headlights on, air conditioning running, radio/kids entertainment systems running and towing your toys, while doing this at 70 mph on the highway
    3: and last: it needs to be able to go from, minimum operational charge…to full charge…in less then 10 minutes…at a non at home or work charging station. I.E.: a gas style station…on the open road…or rest area

    Until that vehicle comes, electric vehicles will be a sideshow.

  2. KCR

    David you are correct.Lets not even start talking about the self driving [scares me to death,because they really do not have it figured out] stuff.

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