How Rivian Is Ensuring Its EVs Are Ready for the Future in the Next 7-10 Years

      Joel Feder

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      Purchasing a Rivian either today or tomorrow means you will receive new features, functionalities, and various software interfaces for years, unlike what you might experience with a Toyota or Honda.

      Rivian's Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, shared with The Drive, “we like to look at a 7 to 10 year timeframe” regarding how long the company will enhance the software in its vehicles. This approach has been integrated into their vehicle development process.

      Bensaid explained that the electrical architectures being established, with the automaker nearing completion on its third version set to debut in the smaller R2 electric crossover in 2026, are designed to accommodate upgrades within that 7 to 10 year period. This proactive approach is not seen elsewhere in the automotive sector, except for Tesla.

      However, updates won’t be limited to that 7 to 10 year span, as this timeframe only pertains to functional feature enhancements. Bensaid noted, “for anything concerning safety or security, it would extend beyond those 7 to 10 years.”

      He mentioned that Rivian is creating its own operating system that operates across various hardware platforms. The advantage of this challenging approach is its flexibility and modern capability in running on different versions. "It's not easy; it requires a lot of effort," Bensaid remarked.

      Avoiding superficial updates like software that enables sound effects, Rivian vehicles have introduced features such as Soft Sand mode and adjustable regenerative braking settings since the launch of the R1T and R1S. Additional software updates have also included a redesign of the 15.6-inch touchscreen interface.

      Ford has updated the software of its F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E multiple times to unlock additional functionalities through the touchscreen. However, the company is limited by its electrical architectures and reliance on external components for minor adjustments. No current Ford EV will suddenly enhance its ride quality through a free over-the-air (OTA) software update, a sentiment applicable to most EVs available in the U.S. for similar reasons. Rivian's vertically integrated and in-house developed electrical architecture has proven advantageous in this respect.

      The upgradeability of Rivian's vehicles will be showcased further later this year. In September, the Rivian RAD Tuner software and the Kick Turn function will be available through a free OTA update, solely for the 2026 R1T and R1S Quad.

      New cars are a significant investment. The average transaction price of a new vehicle in May was $48,799, as reported by Cox Automotive. Trucks and larger SUVs tend to be even more expensive. Bensaid recognized that cars differ from smartphones, stating, “this is a big purchase, and many of our customers will keep their cars for a long time; it’s important that those cars feel new.”

      Bensaid is correct about consumers holding onto their cars for extended periods. As reported by S&P Global, the average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads today is 12.8 years. Comparing this to smartphones, Apple typically offers regular software updates for 5 to 7 years before a phone is considered outdated, yet it continues to provide security updates afterward.

      Responding to concerns about how a software-defined vehicle will function in 12 years (in line with that average vehicle age), Bensaid assured that Rivians “will absolutely work” but will “not necessarily receive new features.”

      “I think that’s where some people get confused—that there will be no degradation; it will not turn into a brick; it will be a fully functional vehicle,” Bensaid explained.

      He is willing to adjust perceptions. “We control our own fate,” the executive stated. The current objective is to keep updating the automaker’s vehicle software approximately every month, though circumstances may change. “Maybe we’ll revise our stance,” Bensaid said, suggesting the possibility of extending their 7 to 10 year software upgrade plan to “9 to 11 years.” At least he is optimistic about extending the timeline rather than reducing it, which is encouraging for Rivian customers.

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