Rivian’s Electric Pickup: Long Way’s Travel Companion
Long Way Up is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Alongside our partnership with Harley-Davidson, we needed a sustainable vehicle to transport our team and their kit for the 13,000 mile trip from Argentina to Los Angeles.
We are proud to announce our collaboration with sustainable visionaries Rivian: ‘The first all-electric, 2.6-tonne truck that’ll out-accelerate a supercar,’ – Top Gear Magazine.
Rivian is a US-based company who pioneered the all-electric pickup truck that transported our team on their three-month journey. They crafted two prototype vehicles in record timing, updating and improving them as we travelled alongside Ewan and Charley. The trip was not without its challenges and we pushed these vehicles to their limits, but the Rivian team rose to meet those challenges with revolutionary-style optimism.
Through showcasing sustainable technologies and in line with Rivian’s mission of ‘Keeping the world adventurous forever,’ the Long Way Up team hope to inspire viewers to explore the world in new ways by encouraging the use of petrol alternatives.
Specifications:
The four electric motors are located at each wheel axle and can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in under 3 seconds, and 0 to 100mph in under 7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 125mph.
The ‘skateboard’ platform integrates the battery, drive units, suspension, braking and thermal system all below the height of each wheel so the driver can benefit from better handling via a low-centre-of gravity.
The iconic, stadium-shaped headlights use less power and cast a wide beam for increased visibility.
The interior brings the essence of the great outdoors inside, combining sustainably sourced wood with colours and textures inspired by nature. Where adventure tends to leave a mark; premium, utilitarian materials are used to invite rugged, daily use.
The Rivian pickup boasts a large storage space under the front hood, a lockable ‘gear tunnel’ behind the rear bed and a large storage space under the bed, perfect for safely storing our filming kit.
This adventure vehicle gave us the confidence to travel anywhere on the Long Way Up regardless of terrain, temperature or distance. Our 13,000 mile trip would test this vehicle to its limits and Rivian firmly stepped up to the challenge.