The electric truck market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, with no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re exploring offerings from seasoned industry veterans or innovative all-electric startups, two contenders have emerged at the forefront: Rivian with its groundbreaking R1T and Tesla with the eye-catching Cybertruck.
Although both fall under the electric pickup category, they couldn’t be more dissimilar. Rivian takes a fresh spin on a decades-old recipe, offering a blend of innovation and tradition. At the same time, the Cybertruck is a bold departure from anything else on the road, showcasing Tesla’s penchant for pushing boundaries. Despite their differences, both promise multiple drivetrain options, extensive range, formidable towing capabilities, and electric supercar-level performance.
In the race to market, Rivian, the newcomer, achieved a milestone by delivering the R1T ahead of Tesla’s Cybertruck, which faced delays pushing its launch to 2023. Tesla, known for occasional delays, maintains a loyal fanbase that has reportedly amassed over one million pre-orders for a truck that has yet to be able to drive.
Release Info and Price Battle
Rivian made its mark by revealing the electric R1T at the LA Motor Show in November 2018. Initially targeting a second-half 2020 release for the R1T and R1S SUV, Rivian faced a one-year delay due to the pandemic. However, the company successfully initiated deliveries at the end of 2021 and has since continued production.
In contrast, Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck a year later, in November 2019, with Elon Musk proudly boasting about its strength during the reveal. Production timelines for the Cybertruck have been subject to delays, shifting from late 2021 to late 2022 and then further to early 2023. Despite the setbacks, Tesla’s fanbase remains undeterred, with pre-orders surpassing the one-million mark.
Interested buyers can now order and configure the Rivian R1T, accompanied by a $1,000 fully refundable deposit. Similarly, the Cybertruck is available for pre-order with a refundable deposit of $100.
Rivian R1T pricing starts at $67,500 for the Explore Package with the ‘Large’ battery pack. Upgrading to the $10,000 ‘Max’ battery pack extends the estimated EPA range from 314 miles to over 400 miles. Alternatively, opting for the Adventure Package adds $5,500 and includes a premium interior, among other features.
Tesla’s Cybertruck pricing is currently in flux due to inflation and supply chain issues. The original starting price of $39,900 is no longer applicable. Various models, including a quad-motor version, are in the pipeline, with prices expected to change shortly. The estimated EPA range for the Cybertruck spans 250+ miles to an impressive 500+ miles across the three variants.
Design Divergence: Tradition vs. Futurism
In terms of design, the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck embody strikingly different aesthetics. Rivian adopts a more traditional approach with its R1T pickup, featuring a chunky, three-box design, a four-door layout, and a spacious rear load bay. Despite the conventional appearance, Rivian incorporates intelligent design elements, including a drivetrain with four motors, enabling independent control of each wheel for exceptional off-road capabilities. The ‘gear tunnel’ behind the rear doors adds stowage space through the body, demonstrating Rivian’s commitment to practicality, even envisioning a slide-out camping kitchen.
Conversely, Tesla’s Cybertruck embraces a futuristic design language with sharp edges, acute angles, and an exposed steel body. Departing from conventional pickup proportions, the Cybertruck’s angular glasshouse and unique lighting graphics create a distinct visual identity. The 6.5-foot rear load bay can be covered for secure storage, and renders of the Cybertruck suggest optional accessories such as a tent mounted to the rear and a retractable camping kitchen. Elon Musk’s endorsement of the Cyberquad, an ATV fitting snugly onto the rear bed, adds to the innovative features, though the costs for these extras remain undisclosed.
While Rivian opts for a more traditional appearance, Tesla’s Cybertruck stands out as a vehicle seemingly plucked from a 90s-era Cyberpunk video game. The choice between the two ultimately boils down to personal preference – a classic-looking pickup or a vehicle embracing a bold and unconventional future.
Interior Minimalism: Conventional vs. Extreme
Step inside, and the interior of these electric trucks continues the theme of opposites. Both cabins embrace minimalism, but where the Rivian R1T leans towards a more conventional design, the Cybertruck takes it to the extreme with its airplane-style, yoke-shaped steering wheel.
The Tesla Cybertruck interior embodies extreme minimalism, featuring the distinctive yoke steering wheel, six seats arranged in two rows of three, and a large touch screen dominating the otherwise featureless dashboard. While specific details about the Cybertruck’s interior are scarce, it’s likely to share features with recent Tesla models, including a rear passenger display and gaming computer.
In contrast, the Rivian R1T’s interior balances minimalism and conventionality. The central touchscreen is complemented by a digital display ahead of the driver, creating a more traditional cabin layout. With two seats at the front and a bench of three in the rear, the R1T offers a familiar and user-friendly experience for those accustomed to traditional pickups.
Performance Showdown: Acceleration and Towing
Performance is a critical aspect of the electric truck landscape, and both the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck deliver exceptional capabilities. Rivian claims the R1T can sprint to 60 mph in as little as 3.0 seconds, depending on the selected model, and boasts a towing capacity of up to 11,000 lbs.
Tesla’s Cybertruck, true to the brand’s performance-oriented ethos, promises impressive acceleration figures. The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model is expected to achieve a 0-60 mph time of under 6.5 seconds, while the dual-motor variant will dip below 4.5 seconds.
The range-topping triple-motor Cybertruck is projected to hit 60 mph in under 2.9 seconds – a level of acceleration akin to high-performance supercars. Towing capacities for the Cybertruck span from 7,500 lbs for the single-motor model to over 14,000 lbs for the triple-motor flagship. Tesla did raise eyebrows by claiming the Cybertruck’s ability to pull a “near infinite mass,” a statement met with widespread skepticism.
Battery and Range Battle: The Numbers Game
The heart of any electric vehicle lies in its battery, and both Rivian and Tesla offer impressive options for their respective trucks. The ‘launch edition’ of the Rivian R1T presents two battery size options: a 135kWh battery, larger than most other EV batteries on the road, with a claimed range of 314 miles using the EPA testing standard. For an additional $10,000, the ‘max pack’ equips the R1T with a 180kWh battery, extending the range to over 400 miles.
Tesla, a trailblazer in battery technology, does not disclose the exact sizes of its Cybertruck battery packs. However, estimates suggest three options: over 250 miles, over 300 miles, and over 500 miles for the single-motor, dual-motor, and triple-motor models, respectively. While Tesla’s claimed range is ambitious, real-world testing will ultimately judge the Cybertruck’s performance in this crucial category.
Autonomous Driving Duel: Driver+ vs. Autopilot
The quest for autonomous driving supremacy pits Rivian’s Driver+ system against Tesla’s Autopilot. Rivian’s system, classified as a level 2 autonomous driving feature, comes standard on every vehicle, offering features like automatic steering, speed adjustment, and lane changing on the highway.
However, it requires the driver’s full attention, as it does not achieve ‘true’ autonomy. At launch, Driver+ will operate primarily on highways, with plans to expand functionality to more road types over time. Rivian also hints at a premium autonomous driving system in the future, with a speculated value of $10,000.
Tesla’s Autopilot, a standard feature on the Cybertruck, automates acceleration, braking, and steering on highways and roads with clear lane markings. For an additional $15,000, Tesla offers the ‘Full Self-Driving’ upgrade, aiming for eventual fully autonomous driving. The current Autopilot system receives over-the-air updates, ensuring continuous improvement.
Outlook: Who Will Dominate the Electric Truck Arena?
As the electric truck market undergoes unprecedented growth, contenders like Rivian, Tesla, GMC, Chevrolet, and Ford contribute to diverse options. While Rivian’s R1T took the lead in reaching the roads first, Tesla’s Cybertruck, with its ambitious specifications, could potentially steal the spotlight if it meets its production targets.
In conclusion, the battle between the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck extends beyond mere specifications and features. Personal preferences, brand loyalty, and the ability to deliver on promises will ultimately determine the victor in this electrifying showdown. The electric truck market, still in its infancy, promises a future where utility and sustainability harmoniously coexist, and consumers eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this thrilling automotive evolution.