The Rivian R1S is rated 79.8 MPGe (86.4 city, 73.8 highway) — that is not petrol economy but the distance it covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy held in one gallon. Drawn from a socket it needs 42.2 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $861 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $950.
Every Rivian R1S version, compared
The Rivian R1S was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 86.4 / 73.8 | 2022–2026 | $861 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Rivian R1S draws about 5064 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 42.2 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.072 |
| Charging per year | $861 |
| Charging over five years | $4,305 |
| Against other Electric cars | +$180 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Rivian R1S is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 86.4 in the city against 73.8 on the highway. That is $76 a year in favour of the commuter stuck in traffic, and it usually means a hybrid drivetrain recovering energy every time you brake.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 86.4 MPGe | $796 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 73.8 MPGe | $932 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -12.6 MPGe (-15%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the R1S changed over the years
The R1S peaked in 2026 at 85 MPGe (94 city, 77 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 69 — 16 MPGe apart, or $188 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 85. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 94 / 77 | 1 | $808 | |
| 2025 | 94 / 77 | 1 | $808 | |
| 2024 | 89 / 76 | 1 | $838 | |
| 2023 | 82 / 74 | 1 | $881 | |
| 2022 | 73 / 65 | 1 | $996 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Rivian R1S — 1 engine across 2022–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $950. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rivian R1S rated at?
79.8 MPGe combined on average — 86.4 in the city and 73.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2022–2026. MPGe is distance covered on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of petrol — the car itself takes none.
How much does a Rivian R1S cost to charge per year?
About $861 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $4,305 over five years, or 0.072 dollars a mile.
Which R1S version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 79.8 MPGe.
Is the R1S efficient compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 101 MPGe, computed across 426 ratings.
Are these real-world R1S figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Rivian R1S is $950 against the $861 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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