The Tesla of utes? Keep talking…

These days using the phrase “electric vehicle start-up” in an opening sentence is like anti-clickbait. We’ve heard all the stories, seen all the amazinglooking renders and (eventually) read about all the financial fallout.

Rivian, however, is an EVthemed start-up that caught our attention. Because this company wants to build an electric ute. What’s more — and yes, this is probably the part where we fall head-over-heels for the glossy renders — the Rivian R1T looks awesome.

The truck has been launched at the Los Angeles Motor Show and, before you get too excited, looks to be designed primarily with the American pick-up truck market in mind.

In saying that, Rivian has already mentioned plans to sell into Europe, however. So once someone within the organisation twigs to the appetite for well-side utes in the Southern Hemisphere, who knows.

What do we know about the R1T? It will be offered with three battery sizes — 105kWh, 135kWh and 180kWh — and the manufacturer reckons in top battery trim, this 5.5m-long,

2.6-tonne truck will be good for a

0-100km/h sprint time of only three seconds.

It is estimated the R1T could boast a battery range of between

370km and 640km depending on the battery size. If spot on, that could make it a practical work tool for servicepeople or those in the trades.

Speaking of tools, we imagine you’ll be able to recharge your battery-powered drills, circular saws and other items straight from your truck’s onboard supply.