After 100,000 Miles on my Rivian, I Started to Worry About My Efficiency Until I Realized Other Owners Might Be Getting Even Less

When you drive an electric truck for over 100,000 miles, you start to ask questions you never thought you'd be asking. Questions like, am I using more energy than I should? Is my vehicle getting less efficient with age? And the most nagging one of all: is this normal?

That’s exactly what Mylo Fowler was wondering when he posted in the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” Facebook group this week. And instead of speculation or debate, what followed was a genuinely revealing conversation between high-mileage owners who know their trucks better than most people ever will. This wasn't a brag post or an engineering breakdown, this was raw, real-world insight from someone who's lived the EV life for over 100,000 miles.

Here’s what Mylo wrote in full: “I'm curious what your overall miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh) is. Please share your total mileage and average mi/kWh. It would be great to see what everyone is getting, especially since many owners are still dealing with range anxiety. I'm currently at 102,000 miles with an average of 1.37 mi/kWh.”

At first glance, that 1.37 mi/kWh number might look low, especially if you’re coming from a Tesla or smaller EV where 3 or 4 mi/kWh is the norm. But when you factor in the size, weight, capability, and usage case of a Rivian R1T or R1S, that number starts to feel a lot more respectable. And as the comments rolled in, it became clear: Mylo’s numbers weren’t a fluke, they were part of a broader story.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

To put this into perspective, a 1.37 mi/kWh average translates to roughly 73 kWh of energy consumption per 100 miles. That’s the kind of energy use you'd expect from a beast of a vehicle, one built for rugged adventure, not sipping electrons like a compact crossover.

It's also worth remembering that Rivians aren’t just for smooth highways and sunny days. These trucks and SUVs are built to climb mountains, haul gear, power camp setups, and navigate deep snow. That means high energy use isn’t just expected, it’s part of the DNA.

One of the most helpful comments came from Adam, who chimed in to offer some context many people forget: “Keep in mind that energy efficiency doesn’t just account for driving, it also includes vampire drain and energy use while the vehicle is parked or stationary, unless it's plugged in. That said, your mileage is seriously impressive! Could you share a brief description of any maintenance or work done on the vehicle beyond the usual over that distance?”

That comment sparked a mini-debate about how energy use is calculated, especially in the real world where idle drain and phantom losses can slowly chip away at average efficiency. If you’re not plugging in every night or if you’re parked in extreme temperatures, your numbers will reflect that, sometimes harshly.

Real-World Data from Other Owners

One of the biggest takeaways from Mylo’s post was just how varied the responses were. For example, Brian shared his data from a colder climate: “Dual Motor Large with all-terrain tires, averaging 2.05 mi/kWh over 13 months here in Iowa. I’d probably be closer to 2.15 in a milder climate. And of course, switching to 22" range wheels and tires would likely bump that number up even more.”

That’s a great efficiency figure for a Rivian, especially considering the all-terrain tires. In fact, we’ve covered just how dramatically aftermarket all-terrain tires can decrease range estimates, so Brian’s results are especially noteworthy.

Then came Peter, who echoed something many Rivian owners feel deep down but rarely admit out loud: “Well, you just made me feel a lot better, I thought my 1.6 mi/kWh was terrible! It would be great if you could also list any mechanical failures you’ve experienced over those 100,000 miles. That kind of info really helps paint a full picture for current and future owners.”

What Peter’s getting at here is something every EV owner eventually realizes: mi/kWh is only one piece of the ownership puzzle. What really matters is how the vehicle holds up over time, what repairs have been needed, and how it continues to perform well beyond the showroom floor.

My Opinion

As someone who has followed Rivian’s journey from the beginning and driven a few EVs myself, I think this post, and the discussion it sparked, is one of the most important conversations happening in the Rivian community right now. We spend so much time chasing high efficiency numbers and obsessing over range estimates, but what we often forget is that longevity, durability, and confidence over time are just as important, if not more. A 1.37 mi/kWh average might not win any awards for efficiency, but if that number is coming from a vehicle that’s survived 100,000 miles of real-world abuse without major issues, then frankly, I’m impressed. I’d take that tradeoff any day.

Why Long-Term Data Matters

Let’s be honest, most Rivian owners haven’t crossed the 100,000-mile mark yet. Many are still in the early stages of ownership, figuring out how to optimize charging routines, comparing tire setups, and learning what kind of range to expect in different seasons. That’s why long-haul data like Mylo’s is so valuable.

It provides the kind of insight you won’t find in official specs or even in early reviews. It shows what kind of performance you can expect after years of driving, after winter road trips, after towing, and after the “new EV excitement” wears off.

And if you’re someone currently choosing between a Rivian R1S and a Tesla Model Y for your growing family, you’re going to want this kind of info. Because once you start looking at how these vehicles actually hold up over time, it becomes clear: efficiency is only part of the story.

Traveling Long Distances and Learning as You Go

One of the biggest concerns for new EV owners is long-distance travel, and for good reason. But more and more owners are finding that traveling long distances in a Rivian is not only possible but enjoyable, especially as Tesla’s Supercharger network opens up to more brands. Don’t believe it? Just check out this owner who completed a 1,300-mile trip using only Tesla chargers in a Rivian R1S.

It’s just one example of how the EV landscape is shifting in real time, and how Rivian drivers are adapting, learning, and thriving on the road.

When Your Rivian Isn’t Plugged In

Another great point that emerged in the Facebook thread was how much energy Rivians can use just sitting idle, especially if they’re not plugged in. That might sound like a flaw, but it’s really just a reflection of how much technology is packed into these vehicles.

And it’s a good reminder for new owners: plug in when you can, especially in colder weather. Letting your Rivian sit unplugged for extended periods can lead to noticeable drops in range, average efficiency, and even battery conditioning performance.

Need more perspective on how these things happen in real life? One new owner recently posted about joining the Rivian club and discovering an unexpected 10% range drop almost immediately. These are the stories that don’t make headlines, but they’re incredibly important for future buyers.

The Bigger Picture

Finally, let’s zoom out. A lot of people still assume electric vehicles are only viable in mild climates or short daily commutes. But drivers like Mylo are proving that assumption wrong every single day. He’s pushing his Rivian past the 100,000-mile mark, sharing his numbers openly, and helping to normalize what long-term EV ownership really looks like.

This reminds me of another great comparison we recently published, where someone parked their R1S next to the new VW ID. Buzz and realized that while the ID. Buzz looked cool, it was the Rivian’s range, utility, and value that sealed the deal.

Final Thoughts

So what’s the lesson here?

Your efficiency doesn’t define your EV experience. Sure, it’s one metric, an important one. But it’s not the whole story. What matters more is the quality of your ownership journey, the reliability of your truck, and how confident you feel taking it anywhere, from downtown to deep wilderness.

And if someone like Mylo can drive 102,000 miles in a Rivian and still be curious enough to ask questions and share insights with the community? That says everything.

What’s your Rivian’s lifetime average mi/kWh? How has your efficiency changed over time and what do you think caused it? Share your story in the comments, we’re listening, and so are thousands of other Rivian owners who want to learn from your experience.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.