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That's right, my friends. Motortrend has officially recognized the Rivian R1T as Truck of The Year.
My head is spinning. I did not see this coming and will need to adjust my worldview. I just cannot imagine owning an electric vehicle but, in the future, may not have the ability to avoid it.
Fortunately, the same issue of MT has an article called, "Honestly, what is a real truck in 2022?"
Meanwhile, I'll give credit where it's due - congratulations to Rivian.
Hunter
Have any even been marketed yet?...:uhh:...Ben
Well, MT staff attained one of the first ones, and at $74G it wasn't cheap. And, it's a loaded one, with AWD and some lux packages. Frankly, I don't know where people like us can get one. Online, I saw an article saying the stock of ones out there now are basic, and they'll have bigger battery packs ready in a year.
So, went to my standard source (Wikipedia) and found, "Rivian is based in Irvine, California with its manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, and other facilities in Palo Alto, California; Carson, California; Plymouth, Michigan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Wittmann, Arizona, and Woking, United Kingdom.[2][11] Additionally, Rivian has plans to build another $5 billion factory in Georgia as of December 2021."
Hunter
I'll give up my F350 when they pry my cold, dead fingers from the steering wheel.
when they make an E truck that can carry 5000 pounds in the bed while pulling a 7000 pound trailer, go 350 miles on a charge with that load and recharge in 15 minutes I will consider it.
You will be:geezer::geezer: by thenQuote:
Originally Posted by TriGuy
Got my current Diesel (2020 Jeep Wrangler 4 door) 'cause it can go 600 miles on a tank of fuel. Yeah, there are a few electric vehicles right now that can go that - but only if the temps are high enough for the batteries to last. These companies need to develop batteries that don't get their life sucked out during the Winter. Now, I believe they'll do that in the near future. But, in the meantime, I'll stick to an internal combustion engine I can count on.
Hunter
As long as it sounds and smells like a diesel, I'm with you...But if I'm to actually buy one it will need to have a 10 speed manual transmission, and not exceed the $12,000 I paid for my current ride...:drive:...BenQuote:
Originally Posted by TriGuy
I wonder how many “Never EVers” have driven one? The down sides are pretty apparent – range, cost, range, charging availability, range, fire - but the upsides need some time in the saddle to appreciate. The things are sooo quite & smooth with enormous torque, which will fit right in on a truck. Very fast! Of course, some folks actually like lots of noise and like working on an engine made to fail with all that up and down thrashing around wear & tear. Makes ‘em more connected, I suppose. As the old Mazda rotary engine ad reminded years ago, Boing, boing, boing vrs. Hmmmm. Personally, I had a Mazda Wankel then too. Loved it, but the torque was pathetic and seals wore out. I find the quietness enthralling and the linear acceleration of the EVs thrilling. Speed without the strum & drang.
Btw, the smaller the vehicle, then bigger the advantage of the EV. A large, heavy sedan or SUV can be made pretty smooth and quite/vibration free, but that is quite the challenge for a compact/subcompact car. EV power does wonders for those atributes in a small car, as my test drive of the Chevy Bolt showed me. Unfortunately, the battery demons collapsed that effort.
I like 'most everything about them except for the downsides you listed and a few more like how long it takes to charge and battery fires. But until I can use one to pull my 41', 14,000 pound fifth wheel RV for 300 - 400 miles a day, I'm out. I don't expect to see what I would need to be available and affordable in my lifetime.
The acceleration, quiet and not having to mess with liquid fuels is why I'm still using my ancient golf cart to get around the country estate instead of buying a gasoline or diesel UTV. So yes, I do understand some of the advantages of electric vehicles.