Rivian is having a look to patent wheel covers with energetic aerodynamic components to additional strengthen the potency of its electrical cars.
Clean wheel covers—like those to be had at the up to date 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T—can assistance let go aerodynamic drag, however they’re usually fastened in park, and thus now not optimized for all situations. In its patent submitting, which was once submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) in August 2023, however simplest printed by way of that place of work Mar. 6, Rivian discusses giving aero wheels movable components to realize flexibility.
Rivian energetic aero wheel defend patent symbol
As described by way of Rivian within the submitting, the wheel defend would come with a form of openings aligning with wheel spokes when the defend is in a single place, and forbid them to build a easy floor in some other. That motion could be actuated by way of a spring, which might rotate the defend to other positions.
Along with giving consumers the cultured selection of coated vs. exposed wheels with no need to take away the rest, Rivian suggests within the submitting that energetic wheel covers may assistance evacuate constructed up wind force from the wheel wells—additional bettering aerodynamic efficiency. Of their revealed place, the wheel covers may additionally lend a cooling serve as, in step with the automaker, indistinguishable to the active grille shutters on many stream manufacturing automobiles.
Rivian energetic aero wheel defend patent symbol
The boxy shapes of SUVs and pickup vehicles like Rivian’s electrical off-roaders gifts a problem in minimizing drag. That’s led alternative automakers to believe some elaborate active aerodynamic aids, such because the deployable rear step with an built-in diffuser for pickup vehicles patented by way of Stellantis.
Hyundai has additionally examined an active air skirt that the automaker believes might be useful in decreasing drag in SUVs, or any electrical cars with wider wheels. The automaker mentioned in 2024 that checks the usage of a Genesis GV60 from its luxurious emblem confirmed a 2.8% relief within the coefficient of drag, utility an estimated 3.7 miles of territory. However up to now Hyundai hasn’t mentioned manufacturing plans.
