Connect with us

News

Rivian R1T, R1S Launch Edition now sold out

(Credit: Rivian)

Published

on

Rivian announced that the R1T and R1S Launch Edition are officially sold out. The EV automaker revealed the final price, release dates, and other details of its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV about two weeks ago. Back then, it encouraged preorder holders to reserve their Launch Edition vehicle as early as possible because of their limited supply. 

Rivian gave preorder holders early access to its configurator on November 16. The company gave them ample time to order the R1T and R1S limited Launch Edition. Now, merely two days before the general public gains access to Rivian’s configurator, Launch Edition stocks appear to be out. 

“Thank you for our community of preorder holders for all the support and excitement—Launch Edition reservations are now full. Early configurator access continues for preorder holders to build our Adventure and Explore packages. Public configurator access beings 11/23 at 9AM PST,” tweeted Rivian on November 21.

https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1329890331610001414?s=20

Rivian announced a starting price of $75,000 for the R1T Launch Edition and $77,500 for the R1S Launch Edition. According to the company, R1T deliveries would start by June 2021 in the United States and November 2021 in Canada. R1S deliveries are slated to start by August 2021 in the United States and November 2021 in Canada.

Rivian stated that it would kick off its vehicles’ launch with the company’s 300+ mile pack, which would probably be powered by the company’s 135kWh battery. Launch Edition vehicles will be equipped with its mid-range pack and Adventure Package which features premium interior and tech. 

Advertisement

Based on Teslarati’s first look at Rivian’s configurator, the Launch Edition vehicles only come with a 300+ mile pack. In 2018, the company stated it would release three battery options for its vehicles. Besides a 135kWh battery, Rivian also talked about a 105 kWh pack capable of 230+ miles of range and a 180kWh pack offering 400+ miles of range. 

It seems Rivian has decided to focus on producing vehicles equipped with 135kWh battery packs for now. However, its configurator already gives preorder holders the option to reserve the R1T EV pickup truck with the 180kWh battery offering 400+ miles of range for an additional $10,000. The R1T equipped with Rivian’s 180kWh battery pack seems to be available for those opting to purchase the Adventure Package or Explore Package.

Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

News

Tesla is looking to conduct FSD tests in new Swedish city: report

The proposal appears to have been received rather positively by one of the city’s officials.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

Recent reports have suggested that Tesla is looking at another city in Sweden to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system on public roads. The proposal appears to have been received rather positively by one of the city’s officials.

Tesla FSD tests in Sweden

FSD has already been deployed in numerous territories such as the United States, China, and Australia. However, the system is yet to be released in Europe. As per a recent report from Värmlands Folkblad, Tesla has sent a request for FSD testing to the capital of Värmland, Karlstad. As noted in a CarUp report, Tesla is already testing FSD on motorways after the company secured permission from the Swedish Transport Agency. 

The Municipality of Karlstad has reportedly not issued a decision regarding Tesla’s request yet, though lawmakers seem open to the idea of FSD being tested on public roads. In a comment to VF, municipal councilor Linda Larsson stated that FSD tests in Karlstad “sounds interesting.” Tesla’s FSD tests, if they are approved, will still use safety drivers behind the wheel who will be ready to intervene at any time. 

Tesla pledges to work with the municipality

In its request, Tesla noted that Karlstad is an interesting municipality in which to conduct its tests. The company also stated that it would conduct its operations and tests in close collaboration with the municipality, as well as local entities. Considering the municipal councilor’s comments, it does appear that Tesla might have a solid chance at attaining permission to test FSD on Karlstad’s roads. 

Tesla’s success for FSD tests in Sweden has been mixed. A few months ago, reports emerged stating that the company’s request to test FSD in Stockholm had been rejected by the Swedish Traffic Department. 

Advertisement

“The Traffic Office is currently working on updating its approach to automation. At the same time, the city and the office are under heavy pressure from other ongoing innovation tests. Our ambition is to actively participate in and learn from the continued development in the field of automation. 

“Based on this, and in combination with the fact that the current test is the first of its kind, which entails certain risks for both infrastructure and third parties, and that it is planned to be carried out throughout the city, the City of Stockholm considers it is currently not possible to approve the implementation of the test,” the Swedish Traffic Department stated.

Continue Reading

News

Waymo faces federal probe after self-driving taxi fails to stop for school bus

In a statement, a Waymo representative stated that the company has “already developed and implemented improvements” that should help its fleet avoid similar incidents in the future.

Published

on

Credit: Waymo

Federal regulators have launched an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles after reports that one of its autonomous taxis failed to stop properly for a school bus. 

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that it’s reviewing around 2,000 Waymo vehicles following concerns that its autonomous systems may have violated traffic laws.

Waymo under review

According to a Reuters report, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation began the probe after flagging a media report involving a Waymo self-driving taxi that did not remain stationary when approaching a school bus. At the time of the incident, the school bus had its red lights flashing, its stop arm was deployed, and its crossing control arm was extended.

As per the ODI’s report, the Waymo initially stopped beside the bus before maneuvering around its front. This resulted in the vehicle passing the school bus’ extended stop arm and crossing control arm. Students from the bus were disembarking when the Waymo committed the error. The vehicle was operating without a safety driver at the time, and it was equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation Automated Driving System (ADS).

Software fix already in place

In a statement, a Waymo representative stated that the company has “already developed and implemented improvements related to stopping for school buses and will land additional software updates in our next software release.” The spokesperson also highlighted that Waymo prioritizes the safety of pedestrians, especially children, in its vehicles’ operations. 

Advertisement

“Driving safely around children has always been one of Waymo’s highest priorities. In the event referenced, the vehicle approached the school bus from an angle where the flashing lights and stop sign were not visible and drove slowly around the front of the bus before driving past it, keeping a safe distance from children,” Waymo noted.

Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet, operates a fleet of more than 1,500 robotaxis in major U.S. cities, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. The company continues to expand its footprint and plans future operations in Tokyo and London.

Continue Reading

News

Kia and Tesla top list in Swedish study of strongest EV batteries

A major Swedish study has revealed which electric vehicles hold their battery health the best, and Kia and Tesla came out on top. 

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Asia/X

A major Swedish study has revealed which electric vehicles hold their battery health the best, and Kia and Tesla came out on top. 

Swedish car broker Kvdbil initiated a test of more than 1,300 used BEVs and plug-in hybrids to determine which models retain the best battery capacity over time. Based on the study’s results, the Kia EV6, Kia e-Niro, and the Tesla Model Y were deemed the best.

Kia and Tesla lead the pack

Kvdbil’s test results are bullish for electric vehicles as a whole. The study showed that eight out of ten used electric cars still had at least 90% of their original battery capacity. Kia’s EV6 and e-Niro finished first and second in the rankings, while Tesla’s Model Y came in third. As per CarInfo data, Sweden currently has 12,148 Kia EV6 registered, while there are 48,488 Model Y.

In a comment to the media, test manager Martin Reinholdsson stated, “They are actually better than we thought. We were a bit surprised that there were so many that were this good.”

In a way, Tesla’s strong performance in the test carries extra weight since the Model Y is one of Sweden’s best-selling EVs, giving the test a much larger sample size compared to Kia’s smaller but highly rated fleet. 

Advertisement

Battery tech, driver habits, and age all play a role

Kvdbil noted that the test’s standout results could be attributed to advanced battery management systems and careful engineering, as noted in a report from the Sweden Herald. At the same time, the study also found that factors like charging routines, driving style, and the age of a vehicle can influence capacity retention.

Rounding out the top ten were entries from Opel, Mazda, Audi, Fiat, Volvo, Citroën, and Volkswagen, as noted in a CarUp report.

This is not the first time that Tesla’s battery prowess has shown its strength. Last year, reports emerged stating that a Tesla Model S 90D from Chesterfield, UK, had traveled 430,000 miles on its original motors and batteries. Over that period, which was comprised of constant Supercharging sessions due to the car being used as an airport taxi, the Model S 90D only lost 65 miles of range.

Continue Reading

Trending