There have been rumors circulating for a while now about a software-restricted Large+ battery option for the Gen 2 Rivian R1 vehicles. However, Rivian hasn’t bothered to explain what it is or what its features are. In the meantime, the manufacturer Rivian still lists vehicles with a fundamentally different Large (non-plus) battery. Here’s everything you need to know about the new battery.
You guys have to admit, Rivian loves the plus sign, which they use for almost everything in their vehicle lineup. We have the Connect+ connectivity package, the Driver+ and Rivian Autonomy Platform+ driver assistance packages, and most recently, the Large+ battery pack. That is, if I forgot anything, which is totally understandable considering the myriad of changes that have been happening at Rivian lately.
However, the Large+ battery pack has been the least understood of all these plus-branded features, mostly because Rivian has never bothered to explain it. In the beginning, it didn't even exist, as Rivian announced that its vehicles would be available with three battery options: Standard (92.5 kWhLFP), Large (109.4 kWh, NMC) and Max (141.5 kWh, NMC). Not everyone considered these options ideal.
One reason was that the capacity difference between the Standard and Large was too small to justify the $7,000 price difference. To make matters weirder, the LFP pack can routinely be charged to 100% without risking rapid degradation, which the NMC battery cannot. Charging the Large pack to 80% as recommended only gives you access to 87.5 kWh, less than the LFP-based Standard pack.
This was probably the reason why the Electric vehicle startup has also decided to offer a Large+ battery pack, which was first rumored a couple of weeks ago. As unofficially confirmed by Rivian, the Large+ battery pack is nothing more than a software-limited Max battery pack. While it offers the same capacity, performance, range, and features as the Large pack, it still has a nominal capacity of 141.5 kWh like the Max pack.
This has a few advantages for both Rivian and the owners. First, Rivian will be able to sell a software unlock later, turning the Large+ package into the Max package it once was. Rivian could also use this trick on traded-in vehicles, effectively increasing their resale value. They could list used vehicles as Dual Large+, Performance Dual Large+, Dual Max, or Performance Dual Max models at will.
Owners also benefit because they pay less now and can upgrade later if they feel the need. Owners would also be able to charge the battery to 100% without causing accelerated wear, which is a major benefit in itself. Rivian has confirmed this in the instructions provided to its guides.
“The Large+ has a software-configured battery that can be charged continuously to 100% and will have several regenerative charging and braking features,” write updated instructions. Rivian guides originally recommended loading the Large+ the same as the Large: 70% for everyday use, 85% for extended trips, and 100% for road trips. The new recommendation makes the Large+ much more appealing.
However, there are other questions that potential buyers have about the new battery option. Specifically, Rivian lists Gen 2 vehicles as having a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg), with the exception of the R1T with a Max battery pack, which is rated for 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg). However, there is no information regarding the towing capacity of vehicles with Large+ battery packs. Thankfully, Rivian also confirmed that the Large+ packs retain the towing capabilities of the Max pack, meaning R1T owners will be able to tow up to 11,000 pounds using the Large+ battery.
We reached out to Rivian to confirm towing with the Large+, as it is a software-locked Max pack. We are happy to report that it gains the towing capabilities of a Max pack.
Double R1T Standard: 7,700 lbs
Double R1T large: 7,700 lbs
Double R1T Large+: 11,000 lbs
Tri R1T Max: 11,000 lbs https://t.co/E9vOlfXFxS— RivianTrackr (@RivianTrackr) August 20, 2024