Rivian shocked everybody immediately by not solely revealing the hotly-anticipated R2 SUV at a beginning value of just $45,000, but additionally displaying us one other automobile, the R3, in addition to a brand new battery cell that underpins each vehicles. The cell known as the 4695 on account of its diameter of 46 millimeters and top of 95 millimeters. Its specs have but to be detailed, however it’s significantly bigger than Tesla’s 4680 cells, which may imply loads.
As battery cells get greater their voltage doesn’t change except the chemistry adjustments, and Rivian is extra seemingly than not utilizing standard lithium-ion chemistry. What does enhance is the cell’s score in amp-hours, which interprets right into a 4695 holding extra power than a 4680. But there’s extra.
Larger cells can sometimes cost and discharge at greater charges. In brief, this implies the R2 will seemingly have the ability to cost quicker and supply extra peak energy than if it acquired its juice from a barely slimmer pack made from 4680s. The automobile’s regenerative braking will also be stronger, which can supply effectivity good points.
Rivian will not be the primary to get into the 4695 recreation. BMW lately revealed samples of a 4695 cell it plans to make use of in its Neue Klasse of EVs from 2025 onwards. Indeed, a number of battery producers at the moment are producing cells on this 46mm type issue, together with Samsung SDI, Panasonic, and LG.
We do not know the precise specs of those new 4695 cells, however we are able to do some little bit of guestimation concerning the pack’s specs based mostly on photos Rivian confirmed us on the reveal.
Zooming in on the pack, it seems to consist of three giant modules separated by heavy inner body rails. Each module is 34 cells vast by 8 deep, for a complete content material of 272 cells. If we’re speaking lithium-ion and we assume the cells are all wired in collection, we get a module voltage of 979.2V (nominal). That’s a 1000V structure, not 800V as hypothesis may in any other case point out.
With three of those modules wired in parallel, the voltage will stay the identical however the present accessible will go up significantly. We do not know what the person cell rankings are, however different 4695s are able to pulse discharging at as much as 10C, or ten occasions their rated capability in amp-hours. This may imply accessible energy as excessive as 900kW, or round 1,200 horsepower. The Rivian’s 4695s seemingly err on the facet of capability, although, so such excessive discharge charges are unlikely.
Once the electrical automaker unveils the whole capability of the pack, that kind of data will be extrapolated. For now, simply know that these new battery cells will seemingly allow efficiency on par if not larger than what Tesla is able to in vehicles just like the Model Y. How effectively the remainder of the drivetrain makes use of this power goes to matter by way of real-world efficiency, however the kilowatt-hours are there for the taking.