Rivian beats Ford, GM and Tesla in EV pick-up race

The first Rivian R1T has rolled off the company’s Illinois production line in the US, beating similar all-electric full-size pick-up trucks from Ford, General Motors and Tesla.

In fact, production of the Ford F-150 Lightning commenced in Dearborn a day after the Rivian R1T yesterday (July 16), when Ford announced it would double the annual capacity of its first full-size battery-powered pick-up to 80,000 units.

While production of the GMC Hummer ute and all-electric Chevrolet Silverado is yet to begin, and Tesla Cybertruck production has been delayed until late 2022, first US deliveries of Ford’s F-150 EV will take place in April or May 2022.

But after several delays of its own, Rivian said first customer deliveries of its landmark electric pick-up will take place within a couple of weeks.

“After months of building pre-production vehicles, this morning our first customer vehicle drove off our production line in Normal!” tweeted Rivian chief RJ Scaringe, who drove the first production R1T off the line this week.

“Our team’s collective efforts have made this moment possible. Can’t wait to get these into the hands of our customers.”

Rivian has already confirmed its intention to launch the R1T and its SUV sister model – the R1S – in Australia, where examples of both EVs are now undergoing testing.

Backed by Ford, Amazon and Blackrock (the world’s largest asset manager), the start-up American EV-maker has already trademarked both models for our market and is on the record as saying an Australian launch should follow its US launch by about 18 months.

While it won’t be available with its novel ‘tank turn’ feature from launch, the Rivian R1T should be seriously quick and capable, thanks to a quad-motor powertrain outputting up to 562kW and 1120Nm.

Rivian says that will allow the quickest 135kWh battery version to hit 100km/h in about three seconds, but even the entry-level 105kWh battery pack is claimed to send the full-size dual-cab 4x4 ute to 100km/h in about five seconds.

And while the biggest 180kWh battery will offer a driving range of up to 650km, all models will offer an 800kg payload, 5000kg towing capacity and one-metre wading depth.

Rivian R1T pricing starts at $US67,500 ($A92,250) in the US and the same three battery packs and quad-motor powertrain will be fitted to the R1S, production of which is also expected by the end of 2021.