Rivian is seeking to patent wheel covers with lively aerodynamic parts to additional enhance the effectivity of its electrical automobiles.
Easy wheel covers—like those accessible on the up to date 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T—might help scale 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 USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) in August 2023, however solely revealed by that workplace Mar. 6, Rivian discusses giving aero wheels movable parts to realize flexibility.
Rivian lively aero wheel cowl patent picture
As described by Rivian within the submitting, the wheel cowl would come with a sequence of openings aligning with wheel spokes when the duvet is in a single place, and block them to create a clean floor in one other. That motion could be actuated by a spring, which might rotate the duvet to totally different positions.
Along with giving prospects the aesthetic alternative of lined vs. uncovered wheels with out having to take away something, Rivian suggests within the submitting that lively wheel covers might assist evacuate constructed up air stress from the wheel wells—additional enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. Of their open place, the wheel covers might additionally serve a cooling operate, based on the automaker, much like the lively grille shutters on many present manufacturing automobiles.
Rivian lively 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 lively aerodynamic aids, such because the deployable rear step with an built-in diffuser for pickup vehicles patented by Stellantis.
Hyundai has additionally examined an lively air skirt that the automaker believes may very well be useful in lowering drag in SUVs, or any electrical automobiles with wider wheels. The automaker stated in 2024 that assessments utilizing a Genesis GV60 from its luxurious model confirmed a 2.8% discount within the coefficient of drag, price an estimated 3.7 miles of vary. However to date Hyundai hasn’t mentioned manufacturing plans.