The electric vehicle truck niche is posed to explode with interest over the next 12 to 24 months as electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian launching their Rivian R1T electric truck later this year and Elon Musk’s unveiling of the post-acopcalyptic looking Tesla Cybertruck earlier in the year.
Overlanding with Rivian R1T truck
Rivian has been positioning its R1T as a adventure and off-roading electric vehicle since its early prototype days. The Rivian R1T has had a presence at Overland West and other autoshows since its public debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Rivian has been teasing an overlanding version, or as its marketing department has defined the R1t, the “Electric Adventure Vehicle.” Rivian has been outfitting prototypes of the electric truck with a slide-out camping kitchen that fits in the Rivian expansive gear-storage compartment directly behind the truck cab as well as a demoing a truck bed Tepui tent.
The biggest concern that most overlanders have is the limited range and distance of electric trucks. If your batteries run down deep in the Sierra Nevadas or off the grid in Baja, its a little difficult to run an extension cord long enough back to civilization.
However, the Rivian R1T is boasting a 400 mile range on a fully charged battery as well as a quick-charge time of just thirty minutes. If both specs hold true, the Rivian R1T could become an overlanding favorite for those looking to transition to an electric overlanding vehicle.
Rivian sent out a teaser email this morning, featuring a trailer for the September 18th 2020 release on Apple TV+ of “Long Way Up.” The movie documents the travels of two Rivian R1Ts from the southern most tip of South American thru South and Central America to Los Angeles, covering 13,000 miles. The documentary features Ewan McGregor and close friend Charley Boorman as they do an all-electric overlanding trek.
See the trailer for “Long Way Up” on the Rivian website.