New Software Update: Rivian R1T can now charge at up to 500 Amps

Key Highlights

• One such update is the 2022.11.02 software update for the Rivian R1T all-electric pickup, which was released this month and analysed by Out of Spec Reviews.
• According to Kyle Conner, among other adjustments, Rivian increased the maximum DC fast charging current from 450 A to 500 A, which should result in a modest increase in range replenishment rate.
• The initial software test found that the Rivian R1T was capable of charging at up to around 450 A and over 200 kW. Now it can deliver 498 A (at a low state of charge), which when combined with roughly 400 V, results in a power output of well over 200 kW (204 kW to be precise).

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Thanks to over-the-air software updates, vehicles can receive new features or enhance performance even after they are delivered to customers.

One such update is the 2022.11.02 software update for the Rivian R1T all-electric pickup, which was released this month and analysed by Out of Spec Reviews.

According to Kyle Conner, among other adjustments, Rivian increased the maximum DC fast charging current from 450 A to 500 A, which should result in a modest increase in range replenishment rate.

The initial software test found that the Rivian R1T was capable of charging at up to around 450 A and over 200 kW. Now, we've established that it can deliver 498 A (at a low state of charge), which when combined with roughly 400 V, results in a power output of well over 200 kW (204 kW to be precise). That is extremely close to the 210 kW max power claimed in technical publications.

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The question is, however, if this alteration has a noticeable effect on charging time. To be honest, it's a little complicated because the charger must first be capable of providing the maximum charging current.

Then we must understand that a greater peak value will result in faster charging only during the beginning period of charging. This is because there are additional constraints besides current, including temperature constraints.

While we lack data from a complete charging session to estimate a rough difference, the video's brief measurements (referred to as "theoretical curves") indicate an expected result: faster charging from the start (and, associated with it, a faster increase in the temperature of the battery) triggers some power/current limits earlier, and then charging power decreases in a similar manner to previous tests.

In other words, there are some benefits initially, but they are hardly revolutionary, especially if someone want to charge to 70-80 percent SOC or higher. Rivian is, however, maximising the potential of its cars, which is usually a healthy indication.

Rivian R1T specs:

• Range:
  EPA: 314 miles (505 km)
  400+ miles (644+ km) version (2023)
  250+ mile (402+ km) affordable version to follow
• battery capacity of about 135 kWh
  9 modules, 2170-type cylindrical cells (7,776), supplied by Samsung SDI
  voltage: 216-459 V; capacity: 360 Ah
• 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) in 3.0 seconds
• quad motor, all-wheel drive
  four asynchronous motors (one per wheel for full torque vectoring)
• system output of up to about 562 kW
  (four motors - 162-163 kW each for a raw total of 650 kW)
• on-board charger: 11.5 kW (AC Level 2); up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge
• DC fast charging: up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes (up to 210 kW)
• wading depth: 3+ ft (more than 0.91 m)
• curb weight: 6,949 lbs (3,152 kg)
• towing capacity: up to 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg)