Yes !! You can use a Tesla Destination Charger to charge your Rivian using an adapter (such as Lectron’s Tesla to J1772 adapter). Without an adapter, it won’t be possible for you to charge any Rivian vehicle with a Tesla Destination Destination charger.
Please note that only Tesla Destination Chargers can be used to charge a Rivian. Despite having an adapter, you can’t charge your Rivian vehicle with Tesla Superchargers (Superchargers are exclusively accessible for Tesla owners only) as of now. Though Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will allow other EVs to use its Superchargers soon, meaning Rivian will also be able to use Tesla Superchargers.
Why Is Tesla Supercharger Not Compatible With Rivian?
Tesla uses a proprietary charging port which is used for both Destination Chargers and Superchargers, unlike the other EVs who gradually use the CCS standard plug. Rivian also uses CCS standard plug for DC fast charging in its vehicles while using the J1772 plug for Waypoint Chargers and Wall Chargers.
Though, Tesla has announced that the other vehicles will also be able to use Tesla Superchargers very soon and they call it the ‘pilot project’. Once this initiative comes into being, Rivian owners will be able to use Tesla Superchargers.
The pilot project will make 10 Supercharger stations in the Netherlands accessible to other EVs, according to a post shared by Tesla on November 1st. The Tesla mobile app is required for drivers of these vehicles (and make sure it is version 4.2.3 or higher). To get started, they select the new ‘Charge Your Non-Tesla’ option and enter a payment method.
The pilot project will first be available to EV owners who live in the Netherlands, not visitors from other countries, and Tesla drivers can continue to use the chargers as usual. Tesla drivers can also charge any other electric vehicles they own with the same Tesla app.
Where Can I Charge My Rivian?
Your Rivian vehicle may be charged on the road, at home, or almost anywhere there is an outlet.
For Rivian owners, we’re constructing the Rivian Adventure Network, a nationwide network of fast-charging stations capable of adding up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Rivian Waypoint chargers will be placed near retail malls, restaurants, hotels, parks, and other major tourist attractions. The public will be able to use Waypoint chargers, which feature a J1772 socket and are compatible with other electric vehicles.
The Rivian Wall Charger can charge up to 25 miles per hour, making it the fastest and most convenient way to charge at home.
Our Portable Charger comes standard on Rivian vehicles, and it can charge up to 16 miles of range per hour when plugged into higher-powered 240V outlets as well as ordinary 120V ones.
We’re also collaborating with other CCS networks across the country to ensure that charging is always available, no matter where you are.
From your vehicle’s touchscreen, you’ll be able to locate Rivian charging stations and other CCS locations. Simply select your destination, and the navigation system will guide you to any necessary charging stations.
What Are the Levels of Charging Stations?
The rate at which your battery may be charged is described by charging levels. These words are industry standards that are used as labels to rapidly identify the charging station’s power.
DC fast charging (Level 3) is the fastest charge available. You’ll be able to charge an R1T and R1S up to 140 miles in 20 minutes over the Rivian Adventure Network at first. With over-the-air software updates, that pace might rise. Rivian cars may use public DC fast chargers in addition to the Adventure Network.
Level 2: Public and home charging – capable of charging between 16 and 25 miles of range per hour, depending on the available electrical power. The Wall Charger, Rivian Waypoint chargers, public charging locations, and our Portable Charger with 240V outlets are all available for Level 2 charging.
Level 1: A slower charge, which is useful if you need to recharge using a standard household plug. With a typical 120-volt outlet and the Rivian Portable Charger, you can receive a few miles of charge every hour.
What Kind of Charger Will Rivian Use?
Rivian is building a nationwide charging network that will use Waypoint Chargers, Wall Chargers, and DC Fast Charging.
Rivian Waypoint Chargers
Rivian uses the J1772 plug for its waypoint chargers and wall chargers. Waypoint chargers which will be available at hotels, restaurants, shopping plazas, and other places, are similar to Tesla’s Destination Chargers.
Rivian is putting in 10,000+ more Level 2 Chargers, which can provide up to 25 miles each hour. Many outdoor and home charging choices, such as Rivian Waypoints, the Rivian Wall Charger, and the Transportable Charger, are Level 2 chargers. Level 2 240V charging is substantially faster than Level 1 120V charging, but it’s not as quick as Level 3 DC rapid charging, which is typically used while traveling.
The Level 2 charging stations will be put in places where you shop, relax, stay, and consume foods in the US and Canada until 2023. Rivian Waypoints are conveniently positioned in places you’re already going to visit, allowing you to rack up extra miles while you’re out having fun or sleeping. Our Waypoints, like the Rivian Adventure Network, will extend outside the United States and Canada to encompass all markets where our products are sold.
Wall Chargers
Charging at the house is simple with the Rivian Wall Charger. It connects to the Rivian Account and enables you to program charge timings on your car’s touchscreen and monitor your charging status at any time using the Rivian app. It is also accessible with almost any other electric vehicle.
The Rivian Wall Charger is easy to use. Simply plug in your Rivian and walk away once it’s set up. You can even configure start times based on your local electricity cost using the touchscreen in your vehicle. It can also charge other electric vehicles utilizing the SAE J1772 standard.
DC Fast Charging With Rivian Adventure Networks
The Rivian Adventure Network, which uses DC fast chargers (or Level 3 chargers), offers the fastest charging for the car. When going far from home, such as on a road trip, these are widely used.
Rivian is developing a statewide network of DC Fast Chargers that can provide up to 140 miles of range to our R1 vehicles in as little as 20 minutes. These chargers will connect cities along major highways in the United States and Canada, as well as more rural, off-road destinations. The Rivian Adventure Network will continue to expand as we expand abroad.
By 2023, Rivian plans to install 3,500+ DC fast chargers at around 600 locations. The Rivian Adventure Network is exclusive to Rivian owners, making it simple to connect without touching a button.
Is Rivian Charger Universal?
Any EV that uses the J1772 plug can be charged using the Rivian Waypoint Chargers or Wall Chargers while only Rivian owners can solely access the Rivian Adventure Network.
Rivian Adventure Network, much like Tesla Superchargers, is built nationwide to facilitate only Rivian owners with fast charging. But the Waypoint Chargers and Wall chargers are open to all other electrical vehicles using a J1772 plug.
- J1772 Plug: Most EV manufacturers, including Rivian, utilize a J1772 plug or “J-plug” for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. This enables you to charge your Rivian vehicle anyplace a J1772 outlet is available. Rivian Waypoint chargers and the Rivian Wall Charger employ it to make them suitable with other Cars having J1772 plugs.
How Much Will a Rivian Wall Charger Cost?
A Rivian Wall Charger costs $500 when it is ordered with a Rivian Vehicle. In the Rivian Gear Shop (from where you can order this), you can view the wall charger. Though, obviously, it is not launched yet.
Using a Rivian Wall Charger you can get 25 miles per hour. The 25 feet long cord charger comes with the SAE J1772 connector with a charging speed of 11.5 KW. It also comes with 5 years of warranty.
Rivian Wall Chargers can be returned in their original condition within 90 days of purchase for a full refund. Rivian Wall Chargers can only be returned for a full refund if they are returned within the 7-day vehicle return policy. Rivian will not charge any shipping or restocking expenses from your refund, but installation fees are non-refundable.
Rivian vs Tesla Charger Network
The comparison between Rivian and Tesla is mainly made because Rivian is also intended to build their own charging network. This is pretty amazing and considered to be a very smart move for the new EV startup. But Tesla is an old player in the game, so undoubtedly Tesla is far ahead. But, if Rivian succeeds in its plan, it will give tough competition to Tesla.
Still, we can make certain comparisons between the charging networks of both of these companies.
- As of now, Tesla has 20,000 Superchargers around 2000 stations worldwide and it is expanding little by little. On the other hand, Rivian has said to have 3500+ DC Fast Chargers around 600+ locations by the end of 2023.
If Rivian accomplishes its target, it would do better than Tesla did in the initial days. It took Tesla almost 3 years to build Superchargers at almost 600 locations. And Rivian is targeting to have 600+ Adventure Networks in less than two years.
- Rivian’s Adventure Network is only for Rivian owners while Tesla has announced to allow other EVs to use their Superchargers.
- Tesla Destination Chargers are made only for Tesla users. Any person having any other vehicle must have to use an adapter in order to access those chargers. But, Rivian Waypoint Chargers and Wall Chargers will be open to the public.
- Tesla had built 23,963 Destination Chargers as of September 2019. Conversely, Rivian is rolling out with an aim of establishing 10,000+ Waypoint Chargers by the end of 2023.
A Quick Wrap-Up
As a new EV startup, Rivian has already created hype in the market. Now, it is just a matter of time that how the growth graph of Rivian will look like. Undoubtedly Rivian’s endeavor into rolling out its charging network and further facilitating its customers by making Rivian vehicles compatible with other public charging networks is admirable.
However, when it comes to charging a Rivian with a Tesla charger, it is for sure that Rivian can use only Tesla Destination Chargers with the help of an adapter. Apart from that Rivian’s network will hopefully be sufficient enough that users need not worry about charging while riding. And, within the next few years, driving a Rivian across the United States will most likely be as convenient as driving a Tesla.