Rivian is trying to patent wheel covers with energetic aerodynamic components to additional enhance the effectivity of its electrical autos.
Clean wheel covers—like those obtainable on the up to date 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T—will help cut back aerodynamic drag, however they’re usually mounted in place, and thus not optimized for all situations. In its patent submitting, which was submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) in August 2023, however solely revealed by that workplace Mar. 6, Rivian discusses giving aero wheels movable components to achieve flexibility.
Rivian energetic aero wheel cowl patent picture
As described by Rivian within the submitting, the wheel cowl would come with a collection of openings aligning with wheel spokes when the duvet is in a single place, and block them to create a easy floor in one other. That motion could be actuated by a spring, which might rotate the duvet to completely different positions.
Along with giving clients the aesthetic alternative of coated vs. uncovered wheels with out having to take away something, Rivian suggests within the submitting that energetic wheel covers might assist evacuate constructed up air strain from the wheel wells—additional bettering aerodynamic efficiency. Of their open place, the wheel covers might additionally serve a cooling perform, in accordance with the automaker, just like the energetic grille shutters on many present manufacturing vehicles.
Rivian energetic aero wheel cowl patent picture
The boxy shapes of SUVs and pickup vehicles like Rivian’s electrical off-roaders presents a problem in minimizing drag. That is led different automakers to think about some elaborate energetic aerodynamic aids, such because the deployable rear step with an built-in diffuser for pickup vehicles patented by Stellantis.
Hyundai has additionally examined an energetic air skirt that the automaker believes may very well be useful in decreasing drag in SUVs, or any electrical autos with wider wheels. The automaker mentioned in 2024 that exams utilizing a Genesis GV60 from its luxurious model confirmed a 2.8% discount within the coefficient of drag, value an estimated 3.7 miles of vary. However to this point Hyundai hasn’t mentioned manufacturing plans.
