R1T Truck

Make
Rivian
Segment
Sports Car

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) charging, essentially bi-directional charging, will be available on Rivian R1T and R1S electric vehicles soon. At least, that's according to Rivian Updates on Twitter. The functionality will apparently be available via an over-the-air update, although a Rivian representative somewhat vaguely said they'll "share more details on this bidirectional charging capability in the future."

This feature won't only be for new Rivian customers but also for those who have already taken delivery of their vehicles. With bi-directional charging, your EV can function as a power source for everything from smaller electronics to other vehicles and even your home as a whole.

Almost a year ago, we learned that Rivian was looking into more advanced battery technology that would include a heat pump-based thermal system allowing for bi-directional charging, although that sounds beyond the scope of an OTA update.

The ability to send power back to the grid via bi-directional charging has become more popular, with GM planning to offer the tech on its Chevrolet Silverado EV. With GM Energy, customers will be able to sell energy back to the grid during peak hours, ultimately saving on costs. Of course, the functionality is a lifesaver during a power outage.

Ford provides something similar with the F-150 Lightning, which is said to be able to power a home for up to three days when equipped with its extended-range battery, or even as long as ten days when combined with solar power or rationing.

It's not clear whether Rivian will charge customers for this update, nor is it clear when the update will be available, but we'll update this story as soon as more information becomes available. It's a pity, then, that Rivian recently scrapped the ultimate R1T configuration with the quad motors and largest battery pack; obviously, the bigger the battery pack, the more owners would be able to take advantage of bi-directional charging as more energy can be stored. This configuration of the R1T will appear at a later date again as the EV maker battles to meet its production targets, falling just short in 2022. However, production numbers did improve markedly in the fourth quarter of last year, so a more fruitful 2023 should be on the cards.