The Rivian R1S electrical SUV does not have an exterior spare wheel, however a just lately surfaced patent submitting signifies the automaker is contemplating one for future fashions, and it may additionally function a storage nook.

The patent utility in query was revealed by the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Dec. 28, 2023, and initially filed by Rivian June 28, 2022. It is titled “Spare Wheel Containers for a Car,” and primarily offers with makes use of for the house inside a spare wheel mounting meeting hung off an SUV’s tailgate.

Rivian spare wheel container patent picture

Mounting the wheel with its outdoors floor dealing with towards the mounting level leaves a little bit of house. Within the patent utility, Rivian proposes filling that house with containers that would function storage, toolboxes, or first assist kits. Rivian means that they could possibly be geared up with USB ports for charging gadgets, heating or cooling, in addition to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Different potential makes use of embrace water storage for moveable camp bathe techniques, an air compressor for airing the spare tire up or down (an extension of the built-in air system already accessible in Rivian automobiles), or waste storage so house owners may simply take their trash with them when leaving the wilderness. That matches with Rivian’s environmental ethos, which additionally spurred the corporate to shelve its Tank Flip function out of concern that it could possibly be used to tear up off-road trails.

Rivian spare wheel container patent picture

Spare wheel containers may additionally hook up with a automobile’s infotainment system, permitting drivers to view water ranges or air strain from the central touchscreen, or get reminders to empty the waste container.

Not all automotive patents attain manufacturing, and whereas spare wheel containers are very on model for the automaker that additionally introduced us the R1T pickup-truck Gear Tunnel, Rivian already has loads happening. It is slated to indicate the higher-volume R2 later this yr. This follow-up to the R1 fashions goals for a $40,000 base value and is because of begin manufacturing in 2026 at a brand new Georgia plant.