Not all cool concepts are good concepts. Working example: Keep in mind that candy video from 2019 of a Rivian RT1 truck spinning in an ideal circle utilizing one thing known as “Tank Flip?” Effectively, it received’t be coming to a Rivian product close to you any time quickly.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe broke EV truck buyers hearts throughout an Instagram Q & A when he revealed that the function was scrapped for being far too damaging to the paths and nature areas the corporate is devoted to defending.
The Tank Flip concerned an RT1 or RS1 spinning like a corkscrew inside its personal footprint. The act of a 8,500 pound truck able to hitting 60 miles per hour from a lifeless cease in solely three seconds apparently tears up the bottom a bit. Who knew! Even within the promotional video you possibly can inform the maneuver goes to be an issue:
The spin chews up the bottom, and that’s not good for off-roading trails the place homeowners would possibly check out this neat trick. As Street & Monitor factors out, that’s not the one concern the corporate had concerning the maneuver:
Add within the issues shared with Motor Development in 2021 about how tough the turns are for a buyer to wrap their heads round at velocity and the function appears unlikely to land in an R1S or R1T any time quickly.
Whereas the “Tank Flip” itself clearly labored successfully (and at surprisingly excessive speeds) within the video, the clip additionally offers a reasonably good thought of how a lot harm a 7000-lb truck can do to a path because it spins in place. Because the overhead digicam angle exhibits, the R1T successfully turns into a boring machine digging a divot into the grime under. That would severely harm trails over time by producing new crater-like ruts, which might, clearly, go towards the environmental objectives behind a go-anywhere electrical truck.
Ford was additionally reportedly eyeing the tank flip for the Ford F-150 Lightning, however hopefully it’ll attain the identical conclusion as Rivian. Rivian has had its ups and downs in latest months. This 12 months began on a nasty observe with a $1.35 billion loss within the first quarter and a bunch of pissed off clients offended over a worth hike. Nonetheless, the luxurious EV truck maker expects to hit its 2023 objective of fifty,000 autos produced.