Rivian's R1T Just Proved That Electric Trucks Have What It Takes To Win Off Road
Rapid advancements in battery technology and availability of charging infrastructure has led to electric vehicles slowly being considered viable alternatives to ICE-powered vehicles. While modern EVs are known for their solid on-road performance, EVs were long not considered ideal for off-road use. However, the arrival of the electric pickups seem to be changing that notion quickly.
The results of the 2023 edition of the Rebelle Rally — the longest women's off-road competition in the United States — helps prove this notion. Electric automaker Rivian took home victory during the competition — the company's Rivian R1T being the first electric truck to claim the title in the 4x4 class. The R1T's achievement is another indication electric trucks are not only capable of off-road driving, but they can also compete with (and beat) gas-powered trucks in the most challenging of environments.
The winning Rivian R1T was driven by the team of Lilly Macaruso (driver) and Alex Anderson (navigator), with both individuals being Rivian employees behind the wheel of a company-owned truck. Lilly is a special projects engineer at Rivian, and Alex is employed as a senior mechanical engineer at the company. Notably, another R1T finished the race in 11th place — driven by Rivian customer Mandy Brezina, alongside navigator Andy Gilman.
On par with its gas counterparts
The 2023 Rebelle Rally required participants to drive their trucks for over 1,600 miles across the rugged terrains of Nevada and California without the use of advanced electronic aids like maps and navigation. Throughout the rally, teams encountered a variety of challenges, including deep sand, rocky paths, and steep inclines. Their navigation and endurance were put to the test, demanding the utmost precision and resilience.
Other participating teams in the rally utilized gas-powered rivals like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Toyota Land Cruiser — all established off-road vehicles known for their durability and performance. The final rankings included the aforementioned 2024 Jeep Wrangler coming in at second position, and a 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor coming in at third place.
Other notable participants included a 2020 Toyota 4Runner (4th place), a 2023 Ford Bronco Wildtrak (6th place), a 2019 Lexus GX460 (7th place), and even a 2005 Toyota Tacoma, which came at the 10th position.
The Rivian R1T's achievement is even more remarkable because the vehicle has only been around for two years. With more electric trucks, including the Tesla Cybertruck scheduled for release in the next few quarters, we could see even more electric trucks in the top 10 at next year's competition.