EV startup Rivian will use a bespoke range of tires from Pirelli for its R1T pickup, scheduled for production in June 2021, with the notable edition of what Pirelli says is a unique tire size, 275 55R21.
Pirelli has developed special versions of its Scorpion Verde All Season, Scorpion Zero All Season and Scorpion All Terrain tires (Pirelli’s dedicated range for SUVs and pickups) to meet Rivian’s specifications, following what it calls the “Pirelli Perfect Fit” strategy. To this end, all Pirelli tires developed for Rivian have a special marking on the shoulder: RIV and Elect.
Elect is the marking that identifies Pirelli tires for electric vehicles, which the company claims offer a number of advantages including low rolling resistance, which helps to maximize range, as well as specific noise reduction features. The Elect marked tires also offer improved traction to accommodate the high torque output of EV drivetrains.
Pirelli and Rivian have been co-developing the tires for almost two years, and this collaboration has resulted in three tires in 20in, 21in and 22in sizes, including the Scorpion Verde All Season in 21in, which is unique to Rivian.
