Rivian R1T Wins Longest U.S. Off-Road Rally, an EV First
Ever heard of the Rebelle Rally? The eight-day, 2,500-km competition is currently the longest off-road rally in the U.S., and it’s exclusively fielded by women.
The 2023 edition wrapped up over the weekend and a Rivian R1T secured the win, marking a first for a fully electric vehicle in nine years of the gruelling event.
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Rivian has been participating since 2020. This year’s winning team was made up of Lilly Macaruso and Alex Anderson, two company employees. Rounding out the podium were teams driving a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (plug-in hybrid) and a 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, which are amazingly capable machines of their own.
Overall, three Rivian electric pickups landed in the top 20, which also included more Broncos and Wranglers, as well as some Toyota 4Runners and Land Rovers. The R1T’s first-place finish is a validation of the performance and endurance of today’s electric vehicles.
Remember, the R1T initially entered production just two years ago. It features a massive 135kWh battery that feeds two or four electric motors delivering up to 600 horsepower or 835 horsepower, respectively. A larger-capacity battery will become available sometime in 2024. Max towing capacity is rated at 11,000 lbs, while range is anywhere between 435-644 km depending on the configuration.
Rivian still has just one retail location (called “Rivian Space”) in Canada, more specifically in Vancouver. Additional locations out east are planned, though their opening has yet to be announced.