Rivian bets on Samsung batteries for its R1S, R1T models

Young carmaker Rivian will be putting Samsung SDI traction batteries inside its R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck coming up in summer. The company says it has already signed a cooperation agreement to this effect.

This likely means that the cars will be using Panasonic 2170-type batteries, the same kind the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are using.

Rivian’s factory in Illinois will group individual cells into 15-kWh units and then put them together to form traction batteries rated at 105, 135 and even 180 kilowatt-hours. The 135-kWh option will ship first, though, so you will have to wait if you’d rather pick something with more range or less price.

The company admits that it is considering producing power cells in the house, but these plans will have to wait until later. No explanation is given, but we suspect the cell tech is not yet advanced enough to warrant localizing another expensive production.

Rivian showed its pilot EV duo more than two years ago. The R1T had been scheduled for launch in early 2020 and the R1S a year after that, but the pandemic crisis saw both postponed for summer 2021. Production will take place at the Mitsubishi factory in Illinois, USA.