How Much It Costs to Charge Rivian R1S?

Overview of the Rivian R1S 

The Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV with impressive performance. It has a dual-motor setup that allows the vehicle to match its horsepower with the vehicle’s requirements for better grip and acceleration. So if a wheel loses traction, the vehicle distributes more power to the wheel’s specific axle to enhance its power. This gives the vehicle exceptional off-road capabilities. 

The Rivian R1S can go from 0 to 60 miles in under 3 seconds and has a range of 200 to 350 miles. Note, though, that this is the manufacturer’s estimation and varies based on the battery pack, tyre size, drive mode, weather, vehicle and battery condition, and how you drive.  

Though a newcomer to EV manufacturing, Rivian Automotive Inc. is providing a compelling option for high-performance family SUVs, and there are statistics to prove it. As per the company’s Q1 production figures, Rivian produced 13,980 vehicles and delivered 13,588 and estimates an annual production of 57,000 vehicles.  

Charging the Rivian R1S 

The Rivian R1S has various charging options: 

• The dual-voltage portable charger that comes with the vehicle
• A 240V charger
• A 9.6 KW 40-amp charger 
• An 11.5kW 48-amps charger
• Rivian wall charger
• Tesla connector (it’s universal)

How to Choose The EV Charger

For convenient charging that preserves your battery and incurs the least losses, we recommend the J1772 charger. This level 2 five-pin connector is the most widely used in North America for home-charging, and will charge all R1S battery sizes (Standard 106kWh, Standard+ 121kWh, and Max 149kWh). 

The J1772 comes with a NEMA 14-50P outlet with an amperage of 40A 9.6KW, and up to 50A 12KW when hard-wired, but you’ll need to purchase an extension cord. Ensure the cord is thick enough to match your vehicle’s power requirements. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the cord and the highest its capacity. We recommend a heavy-duty 10-gauge cord (or lower) as it’s the most suitable for level 2 charging. 

Charging at Home or in Public

Level 1 charging at home is safe from any home outlet. But for level 2 charging, you should have a qualified electrician check if your home’s electrical system can handle the load of charging your EV. If your electrical system can’t handle the charging, then the electrician will make the necessary upgrades to support safe charging with minimal losses. 

If outside home, you can charge at a Tesla Supercharger or a charging station. In North America, Tesla’s Supercharger, the SAE J3400, is the standard connector system and EV manufacturers and charging stations are transitioning to the network.  

Rivian is also adopting the NACS (North American Charging Standard) and plans to avail NACS adapters to allow motorists access to the over 25,000 Superchargers across North America. Rivian Automotive says that from 2025 onward, vehicles will feature an NACS port.  

Rivian R1S Charging Times and Range  

Below is a breakdown of how long it takes for different charging levels and how far you can drive after a full recharge. 

Charging Time For Different Charging Levels

Level 1 Charging

For level 1 charging, you would use the Rivian dual-voltage portable mobile charger with the 120V adapter on any simple home outlet. But keep in mind that charging this way adds a mere 2 to 3 miles per hour of charging. A completely depleted battery would take at least 4 days to fully recharge.   

Level 2 Charging

For level 2 charging, there are various options. You can purchase a 240-volt level 2 charger and use it with the 240-volt NEMA 14-50 adapter that comes with your portable mobile charger. This would deliver 32 amps (7.7KW), adding about 15 miles of range per hour. The battery would fully recharge in 18 hours. 

Alternatively, you can use a 9.6KW 40-amp charger with the J1772 adapter. This would charge at 18 to 19 miles of range per hour, fully recharging your car in 14 hours. For faster charging at 25 miles of range an hour, use an 11.5KW 48-amp charger. A full recharge would take 12 hours. 

The Rivian wall charger is another convenient way to charge your R1S, delivering 25 miles of range per hour. It also uses the J1772 connector.  

A Tesla wall charger will also charge your R1S. However, Tesla has a proprietary connector for this charger so you would need a Tesla to J1772 adaptor.

Fast Charging  

First, find a DC fast charging station that can deliver high power. 350KW would take 40 to 50 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% at a rate of about 270 miles per hour. After hitting 80%, charging slows down to about 60 miles or less per hour.  

However, these figures (charging speeds) are not set in stone. They can differ due to battery temperature and the station’s charging output variations 

How Far Can You Drive After 80% Full Charging For Your EV

You can expect to drive at least 200 miles after fully charging your vehicle. 

The average commute distances range between 30 to 50 miles per day, with 10 to 30 miles in urban areas and up to 50 miles in rural areas. 

That means even the smallest battery pack, the standard 160 kWh lithium-ion battery guaranteeing 260 miles, far exceeds the average motorist's daily requirement. 

Cost of Charging the Rivian R1S 

The Rivian wall charger costs $800 and other chargers $200 to $800. Charging costs vary depending on the cost of electricity in your location and the vehicle's battery pack size.

You can expect to spend $15 to $38 for the Standard and Standard+ R1S, and $20 to $53 if your car uses the Max battery.

Granted, because of the high battery capacities, it costs more to charge the R1S. However, its estimated range of miles is significantly higher than that of other EVs. The R1S is a powerful off-road SUV that can cover long distances, helping cut charging costs.