Latest Rivian software update includes ‘Kneel Mode’ for easier entry and exit by lowering EV’s height
Rivian has begun rolling out over-the-air software update 2022.39.03 to both its R1T pickup and R1S SUV. In addition to updates to its EV’s user interfaces and Gear Guard security system, Rivian has put a spotlight on its new “Kneel Mode,” which can lower the EV’s height down to about ten inches, making it easier for drivers and their passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. You can see the new mode in action in the video below.
If you’ve seen either of Rivian’s flagship EV’s up-close , you can’t help but marvel at the sheer number of intuitive design features inside and out, not to mention the customizations and add-ons available to consumers configuring their own R1T pickup or R1S SUV.
The R1T pickup has been making its way to consumers for about a year now, and its R1S sibling has an even shorter delivery span. While these EV’s already come loaded with unique technology, their room for growth (from both a hardware and software standpoint) only adds to the brand’s foresight and hopes for longevity.
For instance, Rivian rolled out an exciting new feature in a September update called “Camp Mode,” which utilized the vehicle’s independent air suspension to level itself out, ensuring a more comfortable space to lie down when out in nature.
Furthermore, Camp Mode also gives Rivian owners the ability to light the area around them with flood lights located in the side mirrors – hardware that was activated entirely through an over-the-air (OTA) update, again showcasing how Rivian is repurposing existing components for new uses.
With its latest software update, Rivian is once again using its existing technology in new ways to enable an easier EV experience for its customers and their passengers, human or pet.
Rivian software update includes several improvements
Rivian has shared a full breakdown of its software update as it pertains to both the R1S and R1T separately, in addition to a full blog post specifically dedicated to Kneel Mode. When the new mode is activated, it will lower your Rivian truck 10 inches (if you have 21″ or 22″ inch wheels), and stay put until you once again enter drive mode.
Similar to the aforementioned Camp Mode, this update utilizes Rivian’s air suspension to ensure your EV is easy to exit or enter during a multitude of circumstances, including help with pets, elderly or disabled passengers, or loading luggage and other cargo.
Activating it is simple:
- Tap the “Settings” gear icon in the lower center display of your R1 EV.
- Next, navigate to the “Vehicle and Access” screen.
- From there, you can toggle Kneel Mode on and off.
Rivian states that the lowering process usually takes about five seconds.
Be aware that this new accessibility tool in the latest update is only available when your Rivian is in Conserve or All-Purpose drive mode set at “Standard” height. Sport mode already puts your EV at a lower height, so Kneel Mode not necessary.
The new height feature is also not available when your EV is in Off-Road or Towing mode, as it could do damage to the vehicle or the load you are towing. You can see Kneel Mode in action in the short video shared by Rivian below:
Before that however, there are a lot of additional perks to Rivian’s latest update you should check out:
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![Day 1 of the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025 [Gallery]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/54629423281_6315c46dff_k.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Today was the official start of racing at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025! There was a tremendous energy (and heat) on the ground at NCM Motorsports Park as nearly a dozen teams took to the track. Currently, as of writing, Stanford is ranked #1 in the SOV (Single-Occupant Vehicle) class with 68 registered laps. However, the fastest lap so far belongs to UC Berkeley, which clocked a 4:45 on the 3.15-mile track. That’s an average speed of just under 40 mph on nothing but solar energy. Not bad!
In the MOV (Multi-Occupant Vehicle) class, Polytechnique Montréal is narrowly ahead of Appalachian State by just 4 laps. At last year’s formula sun race, Polytechnique Montréal took first place overall in this class, and the team hopes to repeat that success. It’s still too early for prediction though, and anything can happen between now and the final day of racing on Saturday.
Congrats to the teams that made it on track today. We look forward to seeing even more out there tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some shots from today via the event’s wonderful photographer Cora Kennedy.
Stay tuned for more!
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The numbers are in and they are all bad for Tesla fans – the company sold just 5,000 Cybertruck models in Q4 of 2025, and built some 30% more “other” vehicles than it delivered. It just gets worse and worse, on today’s tension-building episode of Quick Charge!
We’ve also got day 1 coverage of the 2025 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix, reports that the Tesla Optimus program is in chaos after its chief engineer jumps ship, and a look ahead at the fresh new Hyundai IONIQ 2 set to bow early next year, thanks to some battery specs from the Kia EV2.
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Tesla has launched its new Oasis Supercharger, the long-promised EV charging station of the future, with a solar farm and off-grid batteries.
Early in the deployment of the Supercharger network, Tesla promised to add solar arrays and batteries to the Supercharger stations, and CEO Elon Musk even said that most stations would be able to operate off-grid.
While Tesla did add solar and batteries to a few stations, the vast majority of them don’t have their own power system or have only minimal solar canopies.
Back in 2016, I asked Musk about this, and he said that it would now happen as Tesla had the “pieces now in place” with Supercharger V3, Powerpack V2, and SolarCity:
All of these pieces have been in place for years, and Tesla has now discontinued the Powerpack in favor of the Megapack. The Supercharger network is also transitioning to V4 stations.
Yet, solar and battery deployment haven’t accelerated much in the decade since Musk made that comment, but it is finally happening.
Last year, Tesla announced a new project called ‘Oasis’, which consists of a new model Supercharger station with a solar farm and battery storage enabling off-grid operations in Lost Hills, California.
Tesla has now unveiled the project and turned on most of the Supercharger stalls:
The project consists of 168 chargers, with half of them currently operational, making it one of the largest Supercharger stations in the world. However, that’s not even the most notable aspect of it.
The station is equipped with 11 MW of ground-mounted solar panels and canopies, spanning 30 acres of land, and 10 Tesla Megapacks with a total energy storage capacity of 39 MWh.
It can be operated off-grid, which is the case right now, according to Tesla.
With off-grid operations, Tesla was about to bring 84 stalls online just in time for the Fourth of July travel weekend. The rest of the stalls and a lounge are going to open later this year.
Electrek’s Take
This is awesome. A bit late, but awesome. This is what charging stations should be like: fully powered by renewable energy.
Unfortunately, it will be much harder to open those stations in the future due to legislation that Trump and the Republican Party have just passed, which removes incentives for solar and energy storage, adds taxes on them, and removes incentives to build batteries – all things that have helped Tesla considerably over the last few years.
The US is likely going to have a few tough years for EV adoption and renewable energy deployment.
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