Charging the Rivian R1S electric pickup

The Rivian R1S is an all-electric, luxury SUV with impressive off-road capabilities. Reviewers compare the battery-powered R1S to upscale gas-engine models like the Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon. The closest competitor among electric vehicles is the spacious Tesla Model X SUV.

The first R1S that goes on sale will be the $75,000 Launch Edition equipped with a 135 kWh battery pack that provides an estimated 316 miles of range. When production of the R1S is in full swing, there will be two other battery options—a smaller, affordable battery granting about 230 miles of range as well as a pricier 400-mile version.

R1S models with the two smaller packs will be available in a five-seat configuration—or as a seven-seater for family duties. However, the big-battery R1S variant will come only as a five-seater.

Like Rivian Automotive’s first vehicle, the R1T pickup truck, the company’s SUV combines comfort, off-road prowess, and sportscar-like acceleration and handling. 0 to 60 acceleration happens in about three seconds when equipped with a high-performance setup. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive R1S can rise for 14.9 inches of ground clearance, crawl near-vertical rock grades, and safely wade through three feet of water. Its towing capacity is 7,700 pounds.

For more common daily commuting, the R1S is a comfortable and spacious sport utility vehicle. It boasts a refined interior cabin featuring wood trim, leather seats, and two large touchscreen displays.

The Rivian R1S provides a level of driving range that matches or exceeds the best electric vehicles on the market. Even the smallest 230-mile battery pack far exceeds average commute distances of about 40 miles per day. The 135 kWh battery pack, which increases the range to an expected 316 miles, makes the R1S SUV a good choice for long-distance road trips. The monster 180 kWh pack offers a class-leading 400 miles of driving between charges.

R1S drivers will use the standard J1772 plug for home charging. A home charging station provides juice to an onboard charger rated at 11.5 kW to add 25 to 30 miles of range in an hour.

To take full advantage of the 11.5 kW onboard charger, drivers should equip their homes with a 48-amp home charging station, such as the JuiceBox 48. The 48-amp JuiceBox is well suited to charging the R1S because it allows drivers to fully charge the 230-mile R1S version from empty to full in a nine-hour overnight session.

Given typical daily driving distances, most R1S owners will only need to top up the battery pack for an hour or two every night. The big-battery, 400-mile R1S—if completely depleted—will take longer to fully recharge, about 16 hours using a 240-volt supply of home power.

The Rivian app and dashboard display allow drivers to monitor the R1S’s charging status in real-time. Rivian owners who lack access to a home charging station can utilize a charging network of about 10,000 public Level 2 “Rivian Waypoint” chargers near shops, restaurants, hotels, and parks.

Level 3 DC fast charging: CCS Combo

The Rivian R1S's 400-volt system can handle charging speeds of 220bkW with Rivian claiming future updates can increase that rate to 300+. The Enel X Way modular 100-350 kW DC fast charger can deliver the fastest charging speeds for your electric adventure truck, adding 140 miles of range in 20 minutes.