Rivian fans have been eagerly awaiting official specifications for the upcoming R2, and a newly published EPA certification application appears to have finally delivered just that.
The comprehensive documents, filed by Rivian for the 2027 model year, provide our first detailed look at the R2's battery capacity, charging capabilities, motor output, and expected range. Here is a breakdown of the key takeaways from the R2's EPA filing.
Battery Capacity and NACS Charging
According to the filing, the R2 will feature an 86.8 kWh Large Pack battery. This is notably smaller than the packs in the flagship R1 vehicles, aligning perfectly with the R2's smaller footprint and more affordable price target. The battery pack weighs in at 541 kilograms (roughly 1,192 pounds) and operates at a nominal voltage of 353 volts.
When it comes to charging, the documents confirm that the R2 will natively feature a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port located on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. For home charging, the R2 supports an 11.5-kW onboard charger capable of drawing 48 amps on a 240-volt circuit. When out on the road, the SUV supports DC Fast Charging at up to 210 kW.
Dual-Motor Power and Impressive Weight
The certification documents specifically detail the Performance AWD dual-motor variant of the R2. This powertrain utilizes two AC Permanent Magnet motors: the front motor produces 219 kW, and the rear motor outputs 270 kW, resulting in a combined maximum output of 489 kW, or roughly 656 horsepower.
Perhaps the most impressive specification in the entire filing is the R2’s weight. The R2 Performance AWD equipped with 21-inch wheels has a curb weight of just 4,998 pounds. The model, equipped with 20-inch All-Terrain tires, weighs only slightly more, at 5,016 pounds. Keeping the curb weight under 5,000 pounds plays a huge role a big achievement for a dual-motor electric SUV and plays a huge role in the vehicle's overall efficiency.
The R2 comes in just 500lbs heavier than the Model Y Performance, 600lbs heavier than the ICE Porsche Macan GTS, and about 1,000lbs heavier than its closest hybrid equivalent, the Toyota RAV4, which is quite impressive for such a large and capable vehicle.
Range and Efficiency Estimates
While the EPA has not yet published the final consumer-facing range stickers, the raw testing data included in the filing gives us a very clear picture of what to expect.
R2 Performance AWD | Unadjusted City Range | Unadjusted Highway Range | Expected Combined Range (0.7 Derating) |
|---|---|---|---|
21-Inch Wheels | 487.4 miles (155.7 MPGe) | 410.8 miles (131.2 MPGe) | ~317 miles |
20-Inch All-Terrain Tires | 478.9 miles | 392.1 miles | ~308 miles |
During the unadjusted urban driving cycles (UDDS), the R2 equipped with 21-inch wheels achieved a staggering 487.4 miles of range with an efficiency rating of 155.7 MPGe. On the unadjusted highway cycle, it achieved 410.8 miles at 131.2 MPGe. Applying the EPA's standard 0.7 derating factor to these unadjusted numbers results in an expected real-world combined range of approximately 317 miles for the 21-inch wheel configuration.
The 20-inch All-Terrain variant takes a slight efficiency hit due to the more aggressive tread pattern. In the same unadjusted tests, the All-Terrain model achieved 478.9 miles in the city and 392.1 miles on the highway. Applying the same derating factor puts the expected combined range for the All-Terrain model at roughly 308 miles.
A New Heat Pump
Finally, the documents reveal that the R2 will utilize a brand-new, proprietary heat pump design. Rivian notes that this new heat pump integrates valves, sensors, heat exchangers, and a refrigerant bottle into a single bundle to save weight and space. The filing explicitly states that this system will dramatically improve real-world range in cold weather environments compared to vehicles equipped with traditional heating systems.
