[R99]

I know Rivian hasn't fully released their plans for what their charging network is going to look like. But I figured I'd start this thread to keep track of the information as it comes out.

RJ Scaringe has said that Rivian is planning on rolling out a network of charging stations at key locations such as national parks, but he has also said that the R1T and R1S will use CCS standard charger so they can partner with other manufacturers. They haven't made any of those partnerships official yet but it seems likely they'll partner with Electrify America given their relationship with Ford.

He has also said that the R1S and R1T can fast DC charge at up to 160kW, giving approximately 200 miles of range in 30 mins.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1068686931716845568

Along with that Scaringe has mentioned in the past that Rivian will have vehicle-to-vehicle charging auxiliary battery packs.

 

[Nachlas]

As long as VW keeps building out the Electrify America and Electrify Canada networks that use the CCS standard, there is not much need for Rivian's own charging network in my opinion. My area is now pretty well served by Electrify America, and any Rivian will be able to charge at those stations from day 1. Maybe Rivian can fill in some of the areas on the map that don't have anything planned yet. But if you live near a major metro area in North America, chances are Electrify America is already building DC fast charge stations near you. The pace of the rollout has been astonishing.

 

[R99]

We now have some new information about Rivian's charging network. They're going to call it the "Rivian Adventure Network"

Their going to start with chargers at places like off-roading pit stops, national parks, and RV parks. One of the first ones is expected to be placed in Moab.

They're aiming for its DC charging stations to deliver up to 200kW, charging two vehicles at once.

Rivian's charging network to be called "Rivian...

 

[Cactus]

IMHO, the second primary mission for Rivian (first is getting their vehicle properly engineered and produced), it to either team with Tesla's SC network, make their own, or (gulp) team with Electrify America (EA). Musk and Scaringe should have a phone call in which Rivian offers to pay for 10-12 superchargers for every 200-500 vehicles Rivian sells in exchange for Rivian's use of Tesla's SC network. Cost for Rivian owners might be more than a Tesla owner, but less than EA. Musk should accept if his goal is sustainable transportation.

Electrify America charging experience is pretty poor (OK terrible) compared to Tesla (sorry, but Tesla set the standard: cost, convenience and charging speed, which is not that fast). Imagine driving to an EA charger with less than 10% and hoping 1) the app works, or 2) your cc works on their reader, 3) the touchscreen works, 4) charging is not 50kW or slower. Rarely do Tesla superchargers not work when you plug in.
Seems like they are trying to make the experience better, but why is it quadruple the cost of a supercharger visit? Why should driving from Phx to Dallas using EA charging cost more than driving a regular ICE car? It costs over twice as much; that's wrong. Despite being fined for cheating (dieselgate), VW has mountains of cash. Since VW has plans to electrify their fleet, why not make sure the charging experience is really really good?
You get the feeling that VW doesn’t really care too much about electrification, but they do care about making money. If they make charging too expensive they will shoot themselves and other EV makers in the foot. Most people that live in houses charge at home 90% of the time, but lots of people live in apartments and would depend on EA chargers.

It boils down to this: if the non-Tesla charging network sucks and costs more than fossil fuels, people won't buy very many electric vehicles, so the network won't need to be very capable or reliable, and will ultimately fail.

 

[Electrictrucking]

What amazes me is the dead spot for Electrify America between Phoenix and Las Vegas and the dead spot between Barstow CA and Flagstaff AZ. Yes I'm referring to Kingman AZ where there is no charger. Kills north and south and west and east. I've contacted EA on this issue and they acknowledge the problem. There phase 3 project is taking suggestions but I doubt they will listen. If Rivian with there 400 mile range can't cover these gaps I will have to go to Tsla or stay with ICE!

 

[Cactus]

@Electrictrucking-
We can only hope that Rivian knows this, and part of their plan is to address this charging infrastructure problem. However, Rivian's silence doesn't help. Makes you wonder if they don't know the issues that their pre-order holders know. And if they don't, just read some Rivian forums.

Although I pre-ordered an R1S, I may cancel my order if Rivian relies on EA. I will not pay for crappy charging that is overpriced.

 

[Electrictrucking]

@Electrictrucking-
We can only hope that Rivian knows this, and part of their plan is to address this charging infrastructure problem. However, Rivian's silence doesn't help. Makes you wonder if they don't know the issues that their pre-order holders know. And if they don't, just read some Rivian forums.

Although I pre-ordered an R1S, I may cancel my order if Rivian relies on EA. I will not pay for crappy charging that is overpriced.

Very good point. Also to make it short I follow The I-Pace and E-Tron forums and I can't spend my time correcting all of the problems they are having. It's not in my DNA and I truly want this truck and I'm a very early reservation holder which in it's self is meaningless except I will be an early buyer I assume. I"m expecting too much thinking Rivian is going to be free of many problems.

 

[PuddleMonkey]

@Electrictrucking-
We can only hope that Rivian knows this, and part of their plan is to address this charging infrastructure problem. However, Rivian's silence doesn't help. Makes you wonder if they don't know the issues that their pre-order holders know. And if they don't, just read some Rivian forums.

Although I pre-ordered an R1S, I may cancel my order if Rivian relies on EA. I will not pay for crappy charging that is overpriced.

sorry but i don't share your sentiment that relying on EA network is a negative. EA network is the fastest growing network atm here in the US + with its partnership with Chargepoint it has increased its current and future footprint. It already gives you the option of cross-country trips from coast to coast. Rivian or other EV brands/legacy brands do not need to build their own network. Tesla's network is already showing its cracks by being closed and wholly owned as it has become its own moat for growth due to CAPEX needs and maintaining infrastructure.

Rivian has already announced it will build its own destination charging infrastructure at select locations, just like Porsche providing its own branded charging network at all of its US/Canada Dealerships and select interstate locations.

To date, all other EV/legacy brands from KIA to Audi & Porsche have offered, with purchase of car, either free charging thru kw or years as well as favorable pricing structure plan with the EA network that is lower than current pricing structure without a plan if you were to "pay as you go". I am anticipating, due to price point of the R1S & R1T, Rivian will offer up charging privileges with purchase of the truck/SUV just like the rest of them.

Now, i am not claiming that EA network is all "unicorn farts and rainbows".. it has its hiccups and it has a ton of work to do when it comes to making the charging experience as smooth as possible just like Tesla with primary focus on "plug n' charge" way of EV ownership. That will come eventually and is in the pipeline.

+90% of your charging needs will be met in your garage/at home and not by a network unless you become a Rivian gypsy. We as a family will be making use of the EA network starting next month as we have decided to purchase a different brand EV, that will rely upon EA network if road tripped to hold us over until our R1S and R1T hit in 2021/22, and get rid of 1 of our Jeeps

 

[Cactus]

@PuddleMonkey-
Glad you are going to put your faith in EA charging network. Please take them to task for any poor charging experiences. Because the main problem with EV charging is that it is slower than gas, EV charging needs to be less expensive and easier overall. Otherwise, people will always use this problems as an excuse not to switch from ICE.

Electrify America puts another Band-Aid on problematic by-the-minute EV charging

Electrify America put in a temporary fix for the Kia Niro EV by ditching the tiers and charging a flat rate of 35 cents per minute.

electrek.co

Electrify America–Ain’t Charging Right for Non-Volkswagen Brands?

There appears to be problems with non Volkswagen branded electric cars at Electrify America charging stations that support charging up to 150 to 350 kilowatt hours. The Electrify America program wa…

www.autoconnectedcar.com

Electrify America Talks Charging Network Problems, Has Solutions

We sit down with Electrify America's CEO Giovanni Palazzo and COO Brendan Jones to discuss the network's problems, and how they plan to correct them.

insideevs.com

 

[PuddleMonkey]

@PuddleMonkey-
Glad you are going to put your faith in EA charging network. Please take them to task for any poor charging experiences. Because the main problem with EV charging is that it is slower than gas, EV charging needs to be less expensive and easier overall. Otherwise, people will always use this problems as an excuse not to switch from ICE.

Electrify America puts another Band-Aid on problematic by-the-minute EV charging

Electrify America put in a temporary fix for the Kia Niro EV by ditching the tiers and charging a flat rate of 35 cents per minute.

electrek.co

Electrify America–Ain’t Charging Right for Non-Volkswagen Brands?

There appears to be problems with non Volkswagen branded electric cars at Electrify America charging stations that support charging up to 150 to 350 kilowatt hours. The Electrify America program wa…

www.autoconnectedcar.com

Electrify America Talks Charging Network Problems, Has Solutions

We sit down with Electrify America's CEO Giovanni Palazzo and COO Brendan Jones to discuss the network's problems, and how they plan to correct them.

insideevs.com

Agreed on the "needs to be made easier and it needs to be faster".. I don't agree on the notion that charging needs to be cheaper than gas.. if anything needs to be on par but not more expensive. You are using the infrastructure and with every use it requires maintenance and upkeep which in turn costs $ to keep network stations up and running. EA network, per design of each station, is future proof. They do not have limitless funds and their goal with its pricing structure dictated by state/county/ect ensures that once funds have depleted it will be self sustain itself going forwards.. which Tesla's doesn't.. as it is not a profit center but rather being used for every single end of quarter sales gimmick perk. Every single tesla owner charging up for free without an expiration date to said perk is NOT helping company to self sustain the network including tesla and its pricing structure. If you drive 2-3hrs for maybe 200-250mi .. you wanna take a break, stretch your legs while you charge .. ideally ~20mi break is conducive.

Again, +90% of your daily charging needs are met at home. If you want to charge faster.. that is up to the car you buy and its battery system. Tesla uses 400v.. Porsche 800v, Lucid will be 900v..Rivian has something up its sleeve apparently that makes charging its forthcoming lineup faster as well.

BEV tech is not mature, imo, to support all modes of transportation and nor should it in the future. Until we have some major battery tech advancements we are bound to mine the crap out of the earth raw materials which in turn leaves yet again a stain on the environment that we are trying to protect in the 1st place. A diversity of NEV techs will be required to support all modes of transportation, BEV will never be the sole answer.

 

[eHauler]

300 kW charging on Rivian's charging network is in the works according to a new patent. In the patent you'll see a "voltage switching mechanism allows 800V charging on a 400V battery pack (or 900V on a 450V, etc) The tech can also handle a battery module fault without disconnecting the load."

Its impressive on its own and for the fact it will be a first for the industry.

Patent: Patent Images

Some more info can be found in this chat with RJ Scaringe (Rivian's CEO)

 

[Tesla2Rivian]

sorry but i don't share your sentiment that relying on EA network is a negative. EA network is the fastest growing network atm here in the US + with its partnership with Chargepoint it has increased its current and future footprint. It already gives you the option of cross-country trips from coast to coast. Rivian or other EV brands/legacy brands do not need to build their own network. Tesla's network is already showing its cracks by being closed and wholly owned as it has become its own moat for growth due to CAPEX needs and maintaining infrastructure.

Rivian has already announced it will build its own destination charging infrastructure at select locations, just like Porsche providing its own branded charging network at all of its US/Canada Dealerships and select interstate locations.

To date, all other EV/legacy brands from KIA to Audi & Porsche have offered, with purchase of car, either free charging thru kw or years as well as favorable pricing structure plan with the EA network that is lower than current pricing structure without a plan if you were to "pay as you go". I am anticipating, due to price point of the R1S & R1T, Rivian will offer up charging privileges with purchase of the truck/SUV just like the rest of them.

Now, i am not claiming that EA network is all "unicorn farts and rainbows".. it has its hiccups and it has a ton of work to do when it comes to making the charging experience as smooth as possible just like Tesla with primary focus on "plug n' charge" way of EV ownership. That will come eventually and is in the pipeline.

+90% of your charging needs will be met in your garage/at home and not by a network unless you become a Rivian gypsy. We as a family will be making use of the EA network starting next month as we have decided to purchase a different brand EV, that will rely upon EA network if road tripped to hold us over until our R1S and R1T hit in 2021/22, and get rid of 1 of our Jeeps

How is the EA network going for you since your last post on purchasing an EV on the EA network?

 

[PuddleMonkey]

How is the EA network going for you since your last post on purchasing an EV on the EA network?

EA network had it's hiccups on our end to be honest, but it got better over the course of these past few months. Issues included handshake/payment around June/July timeframe but those seem to have been resolved. I have yet to meet an EA charging station here on the west coast that did not function or was offline or any other negative surprises. Walmart charging didn't turn out to be too ghetto. We will be back with ICE however because we are selling our EV and will wait for our Rivian R1T/R1S to drop next yr as well as have opted to be on deposit with a Lucid Air Grand Touring.

 

[DuckTruck]

After commenting elsewhere in this forum on a lack of charging stations in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho (based upon mistakenly reviewing only ElectrifyAmerica's network), I've been pleased to see the patchwork of various national, regional, and local charging networks throughout the U.S. and Canada. Granted, very few outside of EA provide CCS fast-charging, but at least we can charge up/top off if time isn't critical. I get that Level 2 will be a slow slog to fill a big battery, but for me, part of the adventure is exploring the towns and cities along the way.

Downloading the ChargeHub app to your phone will give you locations and the power/pricing/availability details of over 30 charging networks throughout North America. EA is clearly the biggest network and the king of non-Tesla fast-charging, but they're not the only option out there.

Using ChargeHub's filter, you can identify the various networks and charging capabilities anywhere. It's easy to limit it to Level 2 and DCFC, and weeding out Tesla and CHAdeMO connectors. Clearly, some regions are better covered than others, but I was pleased to see many more stations than I initially noticed. It only takes a few minutes to sign up for access to any of the individual networks, but having payment capability set up in advance should simplify life once we're in our vehicles. It's also nice to see that many of them charge by units of power, rather than time at the station. I know this topic has been well-discussed and people are passionate about their views, but it's always nice to have options and to know the rules of engagement before arriving at any station.