Rivian owners driving a Gen 2 R1S with a Large+ battery pack discovered that they could charge it more than the advertised capacity. The Large+ pack was actually a software-capped Max pack, allowing owners to access its full capacity due to a software bug. Rivian is aware of this issue and is working on fixing it with the latest software update.
In a recent development, Rivian has streamlined its battery pack options for the Gen 2 R1 vehicles, offering three main options: Standard, Large, and Max. However, a new battery option called Large+ was quietly introduced, which is essentially a Max battery software-capped to 120 kWh. This provides advantages to owners while simplifying logistics and manufacturing for Rivian.
The Large+ pack offers a larger capacity than the Large pack and can be charged to 100% without causing accelerated wear, a significant benefit for owners. Additionally, for those who tow, the Large+ pack provides the improved towing capacity of the Max pack.
Some owners discovered that the Large+ pack continued charging beyond 100%, even though it wasn’t displayed on the infotainment system. While driving, the range did not decrease, indicating that the vehicle treated the battery as an unlocked Max pack. Rivian confirmed that this was a calibration issue caused by rushing the Large+ packs to the market.
Owners who suspected a software bug causing this issue contacted Rivian, which acknowledged the problem and is offering a fix with the 2024.31.30 software update. While some owners may want to delay the update to enjoy the Max pack capacity at a lower price, it is important to install updates for crucial features and bug fixes. The latest update not only addresses the battery capacity issue but also brings improvements to navigation search, cabin climate auto mode, and a new launch mode for tri-motor vehicles.
In a recent test, a 0-100% charging session of the R1S Large+ revealed that the battery continued to charge beyond 100% after reaching 99% SOC. This further confirms the software bug and the need for the software update to rectify the calibration problem. Rivian owners can rest assured that the company is actively working to address the issue and provide a solution for maximizing the potential of their vehicles.