So I Charged My R1T Rivian Truck Up to 97%, Left It Unplugged in Single Digit Temps, And Woke Up in The Morning With 100% Battery but Reduced Range

This evening, while browsing the "Rivian Electric Vehicles Discussion" group on Facebook, I came across an intriguing post by Kurt Fleckenstein, who described an unexpected experience with his Rivian R1T after the latest software update. He wrote:

"After the most recent update, it looks like Rivian has taken part of the usable battery pack. The battery was at 97% (I only charged it that high for a trip home from a ski resort with limited charging options along the route) when I went to bed. The truck was outside, unplugged, in single-digit temperatures. When I woke up the next morning, it showed the battery at 100%, but my range at full charge was reduced."

This phenomenon sparked a lot of discussion in the comments section, with many EV owners chiming in with their own experiences and insights into why this might have happened. The responses revealed a fascinating look into how cold weather affects electric vehicle (EV) batteries and why seemingly odd behavior can occur overnight.

Why Did This Happen to Kurt’s Rivian R1T?

One of the most insightful explanations came from Harvey Payne, who noted that extreme cold can temporarily limit a portion of the battery pack:

"In extreme cold, part of the battery pack becomes too cold to charge, causing it to be ignored when reporting fullness. Once you start driving, that cold section warms up and is then reported as empty, making it appear as though you’ve used more of your battery than you actually have. This phenomenon isn’t unique to Rivian; it occurs across almost all EVs. To optimize efficiency, leave your vehicle plugged in and set it to finish charging just before you plan to leave in the morning. This ensures the battery has had time to warm up, making it more efficient for your first drive of the day."

This insight aligns with broader issues surrounding EV battery performance in cold weather. Other users, such as Aldo Zampatti, pointed out that range estimates are not always static:

"After a few charging cycles (at most), it should return to normal. The range estimates may vary significantly depending on other factors, such as temperature and wheels. In my Electrafi.com account, I can see how the 'maximum capacity' number fluctuates by a few kWh from time to time."

Jared Grisé also shared a similar experience:

"That has been happening to me very often lately as well. Last night, I got home with 78% and woke up with 79% after a cold night in New England."

How Cold Weather Affects EV Batteries

This isn’t an isolated Rivian issue. Cold weather significantly impacts all EVs. Lithium-ion batteries, which power most electric vehicles, experience increased internal resistance in low temperatures, which temporarily reduces their effective capacity. This is why so many EV owners see unusual changes in range or state of charge when their vehicles sit outside in extreme cold.

For a deeper dive into how EVs, like the Kia Soul EV, handle battery loss in cold weather, check out how bad your Kia Soul EV’s cold weather battery loss can be.

How to Minimize Cold Weather Range Loss

Given that cold weather impacts all EVs, what can Rivian and other EV owners do to mitigate these issues? Here are some best practices:

1. Keep Your Vehicle Plugged In Overnight
   • As Harvey Payne suggested, keeping your EV plugged in and scheduling charging to finish right before departure helps maintain battery warmth.
   • Learn about the best ways to extend electric vehicle range in winter in this guide on Torque News.
2. Use Preconditioning Features
   • Many EVs, including Rivian, allow you to preheat the battery before driving.
   • This improves efficiency and ensures the battery is at optimal temperature before departure.
3. Avoid Parking Outside in Extreme Cold
   • Whenever possible, park your EV in a garage or enclosed space to reduce exposure to frigid temperatures.
   • EV owners in colder climates share real-world experiences on cold weather EV testing in this detailed article.
4. Check for Software Updates
   • Automakers, including Rivian, frequently release software updates to optimize battery management and improve efficiency in cold conditions.

Lessons from the Rivian R1T Experience

Kurt’s experience underscores an essential lesson for EV owners: battery range estimates fluctuate, and cold weather temporarily alters performance. This isn’t a sign of battery degradation but a normal characteristic of lithium-ion batteries in freezing temperatures.

While Rivian’s latest update may have introduced new software behaviors, users like Aldo Zampatti have observed that battery capacity readings tend to stabilize after a few charging cycles.

For those planning winter road trips, being prepared is key. Read about how one driver minimized power usage in the Kia EV6 using Snow Mode by checking out this review.

Final Thoughts and Questions for You Guys

Kurt’s experience is just one of many showcasing how EV batteries interact with extreme cold. As Rivian and other automakers continue to refine their battery management systems, understanding these fluctuations is crucial for owners looking to maximize efficiency and performance.

What about you? Have you ever woken up to find your EV’s state of charge higher than expected? Have you noticed range fluctuations due to extreme temperatures? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Images are generated by Grok.

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.