Rivian electric ute slated for Australia

Tradies need not despair. A US company is developing a ute that will meet Labor’s deadline for zero emission utes.

Rivian R1T electric ute concept.

Tradies need not despair about being kicked out of their utes if Labor wins government.

US start-up Rivian this week told Australian media it was planning to bring its new electric ute Down Under, possibly as soon as 2022.

Company spokesman Chris Wollen confirmed the ute would be developed in right-hand drive for overseas markets.

“We know that there’s markets that will be into these vehicles and the adventure positioning and Australia fits that perfectly. We know we’re nicely suited for Australia so it’s an important market for us,” he said.

The Rivian R1T electric ute concept was unveiled last year. Picture: Supplied.

The company plans to start building the world’s first electric ute next year before ramping up production in 2021. The United States market will be a priority, with overseas markets to follow later.

If it does arrive, the Rivian ute won’t short-change tradies looking to trade in their HiLuxes and Rangers. The makers claim it will tow 4500kg (compared with 3500kg for the current crop), although towing will diminish its claimed range of up to 640km.

The Rivian ute has a claimed range of 640km. Picture: Supplied.

In recent weeks, the Government has gone on the offensive against Labor’s plans to have 50 per cent of new cars powered by electricity by 2030.

Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash claimed Bill Shorten was looking to deprive tradies of their work utes.

“We are going to stand by our tradies and we are going to save their utes,” Ms Cash told the media.

“We understand choice and that is what Bill Shorten is taking away from our tradies.”

The Rivian could be available in Australia as early as 2022. Picture: Supplied.

Odds are Rivian won’t be the only maker with an electric ute by 2030, as Tesla boss Elon Musk has hinted he may reveal a prototype later this year.

“I’m dying to make a pick-up truck so bad … we might have a prototype to unveil next year,” he said in a tweet.

The Rivian R1T will be available in two versions with 135kWh or 180kWh battery packs, with respective theoretical range of 500km and 640km.

All are all-wheel drive — electric motors power each wheel, with torque vectoring to ensure optimum grip.

The interior is aimed at the higher end of the ute market. Picture: Supplied.

Power figures vary with specification: the base makes 563kW/1120Nm and the top-spec prioritises range over power, making 522kW/1120Nm.

The ute will have an 800kg and handle some of the rough stuff with a wading depth of up to a metre.

The R1S features genuine luxury interiors with a digital instrument display and a larger centrally mounted infotainment screen and leather upholstery and wood veneer.

The boot is located in the front of the vehicle because the electric motors and batteries are located underneath the vehicle.

Rivian would also build an SUV off the ute platform. Picture: Supplied.

Rivian boss RJ Scaringe said the company has “spent years developing the technology to deliver the ideal vehicle for active customers”.

“This means having great driving dynamics on any surface on or off-road, providing cargo solutions to easily store any type of gear … and, very importantly, being capable of driving long distances on a single charge.”

The stumbling block will be price.

Both vehicles will be priced from $US65,000 ($91,000) after electric vehicle incentives in the States which range from $US2500-$7500 ($3500-$10,500) depending on battery size.