Like other electric vehicles, Rivian vehicles need to be charged to operate. While there are several charging stations in the country, do Rivian vehicles come with chargers at the time of purchase? Let's take a look to see if a Rivian charger is included.
All Rivian vehicles come with an 18-foot portable charger. The portable charger can be plugged into a 240V NEMA 14-50 or 120V outlet. The 240V outlet will give around 16 miles of charge per hour, whereas the 120V will only give a few miles of charge per hour.
Knowing your charging options can help you make an informed decision on which electric vehicle to buy. In this article, we will take a closer look at charging a Rivian vehicle. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions on Rivian, so read on!
Do Rivian Vehicles Come With Any Charging Cables?
For many years, it seemed that Tesla was the only electric car manufacturer that was on the market. However, Rivian has been around since 2009, but as of late, they have made a big splash in the EV market.
When considering any electric vehicle, knowing where to charge it is important. While charging stations are popping up all over the US, some buyers may want to charge their vehicles at home.
Rivian provides a charging cable with every purchase of an electric car. However, the 18-foot portable charger that comes with your purchase only gives 2-16 miles of charge per hour.
So, even if you let your Rivian vehicle charge overnight, you won’t get a full charge. This means you will have to either buy a fast charger for your home or always go to a charging station to get a full charge.
Nonetheless, let's take a look at how fast the other charging options are.
DC Fast Chargers
Rivian plans to have over 3,500 DC fast chargers at over 600 sites in the United States. When this will be completed is tough to say.
The DC fast chargers that are up and running can give 140 miles of charge per 20 minutes. This is a big difference from the portable charger that comes with your purchase.
These DC fast chargers are exclusively for Rivian vehicles. This is a plus, so you don't have to wait in line when needing a charge. Plus, all the energy from the charges comes from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
There is also in-vehicle navigation, so Rivian owners can plan the route to the nearest DC fast charger.
J1772 Level 2 Chargers
Rivian is also planning to install over 10,000 level 2 chargers in the United States and Canada. These chargers will be installed at restaurants, cafes, hotels, workplaces, gas stations, and more.
These chargers will be capable of 11.5 kW and offer around 25 miles of range per hour. This is a great option for road trips and has faster charging than the portable charger.
Also, electric vehicles that use the J1772 charging port can also use the Rivian level 2 chargers. Finally, like the DC fast charger, the energy from these chargers is renewable.
Wall Charger
Lastly, Rivian owners can purchase and install a wall charger. The wall charger is the same as the Level 2 charger, but it's permanently installed on the wall.
This charger will also produce 11.5 kW and will provide around 25 miles of range per hour. It's a good idea to have a wall charger installed in order to charge your Rivian vehicle quickly and easily.
The wall charger connects to the Rivian app, where you can view the charging progress and set up times when the vehicle should be charged.
The wall charger is weatherproof, so it can be installed for people with or without a garage. Lastly, the wall charge comes with a 5-year warranty.
Can You Charge A Rivian Vehicle At Other Charging Stations?
Since Rivian is still working on launching more DC fast charging stations, it may be necessary to charge at another charging station.
The answer is yes, Rivian vehicles can use other charging stations. As long as the charging station has J-plug, your Rivian vehicle can use it. You can also use charging stations that have a CCS standard port.
So, if you are worried about where to charge your Rivian vehicle, there are plenty of charging options available.
What Is The Mile Range Of A Rivian Vehicle?
The mile range of the R1T and R1S vehicles varies depending on the battery pack and motor. For the R1T, the range is from 260-400 miles on a full charge. The R1S range is 260-320 miles on a full charge.
However, like fuel mileage, how you drive will affect the range of your vehicle. Factors such as speed and towing negatively affect the range. Keeping your speed steady and using the regenerative braking feature will help you get the most out of your battery.
Overall, Rivian vehicles have a long enough range to make them great for long-distance trips or everyday use without any worry about running out of charge.
In addition, driving conditions can affect the range, so it is important to be aware of the terrain you are driving on and plan accordingly. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no charge.
Therefore, if you are planning on taking your Rivian vehicle on a long road trip, make sure to plan out the route and account for charging breaks along the way. This will ensure that you get to your destination safely and without running out of charge.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge A Rivian Vehicle?
The cost of charging any electric vehicle will depend on your electricity provider and the type of charger being used. For example, there are peak hours when electricity is more expensive.
Nonetheless, Rivian states that at home, a full charge will cost half as much as a tank of gas. For charging stations, it's a different story. To save costs, you can program your wall charger to charge at low peak hours when electricity is the cheapest.
Charging stations can choose their own rates and will usually charge per kWh. Nonetheless, you can still expect to pay less than you would for a full tank of gas.
Rivian does offer memberships that include free charging at some of their charging stations. It's worth checking out if you plan on traveling a lot or living in an area with limited charging options.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Rivian Battery?
It's tough to say how long any electric vehicle battery will last. However, Rivian does give an 8-year or 175,000-mile warranty on their batteries, whichever comes first.
The batteries aren't too pricey to replace, either. Depending on the battery pack you choose, they can range from $50-250.
This gives Rivian owners peace of mind as they near the end of their battery life. It's also good to have a backup plan in case something unexpected happens, like a sudden drop in mileage or range.
Overall, with proper care and maintenance, it is not hard to expect your Rivian vehicle's battery to last beyond the 8-year warranty period without needing replacement.
Does Rivian Make An Electric Car?
Currently, Rivian only makes a truck (R1T) and an SUV (R1S). Both have a starting price of over $70,000. However, it wouldn't be surprising if Rivian eventually produced an electric car.
Rivian is constantly innovating and expanding its product line, so it may soon launch a new type of vehicle in the future. Until then, the Rivian truck and SUV are the only options.
Is Rivian Better Than Tesla?
This is a debate that may never have a winner. There are advantages and disadvantages to both Rivian and Tesla vehicles.
When it comes to range, most Tesla models will have a longer range than their Rivian counterparts. In addition, Tesla has more options for vehicle types, including sedans and SUVs.
Rivian offers superior ride comfort, better off-roading capabilities, and the ability to tow up to 11,000 pounds. Nonetheless, it still comes down to your preference and what you need in a vehicle.
In the end, it is impossible to definitively say which one is better than the other. Both are great vehicles with their own unique features that appeal to different people.
Final Thoughts
Overall, knowing where to charge and how much it will cost are two of the most important things to consider when looking into electric vehicles. While the Rivian comes with a portable charger, it may not be fast enough to get you to your destination on time.
Made it to the end? Here are other articles you might find helpful:
3 Types of Electric Vehicles (What Every Driver Needs to Know)
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Tesla At A Public Charging Station?
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