Rivian’s engineering teams have been hard at work on the R2 for quite some time now. One of their primary goals - to reduce per-unit cost of the drive units.
The new Maximus drive unit uses some interesting techniques to help reduce costs and build on lessons learned from the R1 Series Enduro units.
Improvements All Around
The first improvement is in the stator windings. The stators are a critical component of an electric motor, and reducing the number of welds inside the stator is a key to reducing overall cost. The new Maximus drive unit uses a new continuous winding technology, reducing the total welds per stator from 264 on the Enduro to just 24 on the Maximus.
Rivian has also worked to consolidate and reduce the number of physical parts in the R2. Their second development on this front is integrating the rotor shaft and the gear into a single forged component, which is CNC milled. Of course, that’s not all - they also reduced the number of bearings.
Overall, that’s a fantastic set of improvements to help reduce the cost - and weight - of the upcoming R2’s new Maximus drive unit. The R2’s launch will be Rivian’s Model 3 moment - it will be the mass-adoptable mid-size vehicle that many are interested in. As such, driving down costs per unit is key.
The new single-piece rotor shaft and gear.
Rivian Wave
Coming to R1S & R1T?
The next question is: Will these improvements make their way to the R1S and R1T? It seems likely in the future—but not immediately. These improvements are set to greatly reduce Rivian’s per-vehicle costs, which will also help increase profit margins.
While Rivian did—for the first time—have a profitable quarter in Q4 2024, they’re still teetering on the edge of profitability. Sharing as many parts between the R2 and R1 vehicles makes a lot of sense, and you can bet Rivian will take advantage of that if they can.
Rivian’s focus is on the R2 launch, so it may take some time before they shift attention back to the R1 series and implement these cost-saving improvements. When Rivian finally introduces Gen 2.5 of the R1S and R1T, we may see other improvements taken from the R2 besides this improved drive unit.
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Skiers at Big Sky Resort in Montana are getting a high-tech lift to the slopes this season that does not involve a gondola. X user Kyle Conner (@itskyleconner) recently shared footage of a fleet of at least six Rivian R1T trucks being used as a specialized shuttle service at the resort.
"6 Rivian R1Ts pulling trailers to move people around Big Sky ski area. So cool!" Conner noted while capturing the electric trucks in action. The implementation is a clever way to solve a common mountain problem: getting people from free parking zones to the ski lifts without forcing them to hike up in heavy gear.
The setup involves the R1T trucks pulling large trailers or carts, each capable of seating more than a dozen people. According to Conner, the shuttle service runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., effortlessly moving crowds across the ski zone.
It appears that Rivian may have provided both the trucks and the custom trailers to the resort for this specific pilot program. When the sun goes down and the slopes close, the fleet is parked at on-site Level 2 AC chargers to juice up for the next day. Seeing these silent, emission-free pickups replace noisy diesel shuttles is a major win for sustainable mobility in fragile mountain ecosystems.
6 Rivian R1Ts pulling trailers to move people around Big Sky ski area. So cool! pic.twitter.com/l3xIDNuiQa
The R1T is practically overqualified for this job. The Gen 2 (2025–2026) model is a high-performance beast, with the Quad-Motor variant pushing a staggering 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. It can hit 0–60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, and the Dual Max version offers a massive EPA-estimated range of 420 miles.
More importantly for a ski resort, the R1T features 14.9 inches of ground clearance and advanced off-road capabilities that make navigating icy, snowy roads a breeze. With a max towing capacity of 11,000 lbs, pulling a cart filled with skiers is light work for this truck. Safety is also a major factor, as the R1T is the only EV ever to achieve an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating in the pickup category.
The Future of the Brand
This mountain implementation comes at an exciting time for Rivian. While the R1T and R1S continue to prove their worth in extreme conditions, the company is finally nearing the launch of its long-awaited R2 midsize SUV.
The Big Sky implementation is pretty impressive. By putting their hardware into real-world, high-utility roles like this, Rivian is showing that electric trucks are not just for the suburbs — they are rugged enough to keep a world-class ski resort running smoothly and sustainably.
Rivian is teaming up with one of the biggest names in science education to make electric vehicles a lot less mysterious for the next generation. The American automaker has announced an exclusive, "multi-phase partnership" with CrunchLabs, the STEM-focused company founded by former NASA engineer and YouTube star Mark Rober.
The collaboration aims to take a deep dive into the engineering that makes Rivian’s vehicles tick. Rober, who reaches over 500 million viewers monthly, will be creating original content that breaks down Rivian’s EV technology, manufacturing, and safety features in his signature high-energy, accessible style.
Engineering for the Next Generation
CrunchLabs has quickly become a household name for families through its subscription-based "Build Boxes" and "Creative Kits." These kits are designed for kids ages 6 to 13+ and encourage them to "think like engineers" by building hands-on projects. For older teens and adults, the company even offers "Hack Packs" that dive into coding and robotics.
By partnering with Rober, Rivian is essentially positioning itself as the "cool" brand for future engineers. Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe noted that the goal is to show off the creativity behind their products while inspiring young leaders. "As we prepare to introduce new vehicles like R2 we want to peel back the curtain on technology that makes these experiences possible," Scaringe said in the official press release.
Mark Rober echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the partnership is about helping people see how high-level engineering improves their lives. "Rivian is building technology that deserves to be understood," Rober added.
What to Expect This Year
The partnership officially kicks off at SXSW in Austin on March 13. Scaringe and Rober will host a featured session at Rivian’s "Electric Roadhouse," which will include one of Rober’s famous live scientific demonstrations.
Beyond digital content and creator-produced videos, the collaboration will move into the real world this summer. Rivian plans to host nationwide, family-focused "activations" across its retail spaces. This could be a massive win for Rivian’s brand awareness, especially as it prepares for the highly anticipated launch of the R2 SUV.
A Brand Built on Feedback
Rivian has already shown that it values community input and "real-world" testing. For instance, the company recently revamped its 'Kneel Mode' in the recent 2026.03 update. Those changes were actually inspired by feedback from tech YouTuber Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything) and his partner Cambry, highlighting how much Rivian pays attention to the tech community.
By making Rivian the "exclusive automotive partner" for CrunchLabs, the brand is securing a long-term connection with a massive, tech-savvy audience. It’s a smart move that turns complex electrical architecture into something a 10-year-old can be excited about — and potentially work on one day.
