Charging the Rivian R1T: Everything you need to know

Rivian’s R1T is one of the rising stars in the electric vehicle market in the US and is one of the few electric trucks available today. The Rivian R1T comes with impressive charging benefits like the Rivian Adventure Network, which is planned to be 3,500 DC fast chargers at around 600 sites!

What is the battery size of the Rivian R1T? What is the range of the Rivian R1T?

One of the first things you’ll want to consider when purchasing an EV is the vehicle’s battery. Powering the motor, the battery is what ultimately gets you where you need to go. So what are the battery capabilities of the Rivian R1T?

Range: the range of an EV is the distance it can travel on a single charge.

The Rivian R1T has a battery size of 135kWh and a range of 314 miles on one charge

Voltage: Rivian’s R1T uses a 400-volt battery pack and system voltage, however, RJ Scaringe said these were designed to eventually be upgraded to 800-volt packs. When will Rivian upgrade its battery packs to 800 volts? We are not sure!

Composition: the Rivian R1T’s battery is made up of 2170-type cylindrical cells (7,776). The Rivian R1T battery cells are combined using 9 double-stack modules.

How long does it take to charge the Rivian R1T?

Charging time is ultimately dependent upon the type of charger used. There are three types of EV chargers: level 1, level 2, and level 3. Level 1 chargers come with your electric vehicle and plug into the typical 120-volt outlet. Level 2 chargers, on the other hand, plug into 240-volt outlets and require installation. They ultimately add up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge when compared to level 1 chargers. Level 3 chargers (also known as DC fast chargers) can charge the average EV in as little as 30 minutes. However, Level 3 chargers are mainly built for public use - they require an enormous amount of available electricity in the grid, considerable investment in grid infrastructure, and are impractical for home use.

Here are rough charge times for the Rivian R1T on each of the aforementioned charger types from 20% - 80% charge.

Level 1: 46-50 hours, and more than 3 days to fully charge.
Level 2: 7-8 hours.
Level 3: less than 40 minutes.

What will it cost to charge the Rivian R1T?

Much like charging times, the cost to charge the Rivian R1T will have to consider a few factors. Rates will vary for home charging based on utility and location. Charging at some public stations is free. Although, more often than not, public chargers will come at a cost with a surcharge or premium placed on electric rates.

That being said, on average, the Rivian R1T will cost $16.20 for a full charge at home. In states like California, Florida, New York, or Ohio charging your car at a public fast-charging location would cost you $58.05 and in states like Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Georgia - $33.60. Charing your car at home only will save you on average $1,500 a year.

What are the charging benefits of the Rivian R1T?

The R1T comes with a planned network of over 3,500 DC fast chargers at 600 sites which is apparently exclusively for Rivian owners. These chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy and can add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes. If you want the comfort of waking up every morning with a full battery of your EV - fill out our survey and get a Level 2 charger for your home.

How many kW can the Rivian R1T’s onboard charging accept?

The Rivian R1T’s onboard charger can accept 11 kW, which is a nice Level 2 setup on a 240V outlet with a 48amp charger. However, this is a slightly more expensive and complicated installation that requires hardwired installation. You can also install a 40A charger with 9.4kW that can be plugged into the NEMA14-50 outlet, and easily removed or replaced.