When Will Rivian Have NACS?
After major players Ford and GM announced their adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port in mid-2023, virtually every carmaker in the US followed suit. The long list of converts includes newcomer Rivian, which delivered its first electric vehicle (EV)—the R1T—just a little over a year prior. The success of the CCS-equipped R1T and R1S helped the company have the fifth largest EV market share in the US, beating the likes of BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Hyundai.
Image courtesy of Rivian
With Rivian's shift to the new standard, four of the top five EV makers including Tesla) will all be sporting the NACS port soon. This leaves Hyundai at a crossroads, as the Japanese company's flagship EVs, the IONIQ 5 and 6, charge at rates of 350 kW--significantly faster than the 250 kW v3 Tesla Supercharger Network.
But when EXACTLY is Rivian getting the NACS port?
Rivian's Current Status
When Rivian entered the EV market, it intended its first model to be a sports car. The prototype for the R1 was a mid-engine hybrid coupe, but plans were eventually shelved in 2011. It wasn't until December 2017 that Rivian announced a five-passenger pickup truck (the R1T) and a seven-passenger SUV (the R1S) as its first models. The R1T started delivery in 2021, while the R1S in 2022.
Image courtesy of Rivian
In 2019, Rivian inked a deal with Amazon to design and produce electric delivery vehicles (EDVs) as part of the online shopping platform's mission to reduce its carbon emissions. Deployment of the EDVs commenced in 2022 in nine US cities.
As of this year, the automaker has two models in the pipeline, the R2 and the R3. The R2 is a five-door mid-sized SUV slated for release in 2026, while the R3 is a compact SUV yet to get a release date.
The R1T, R1S, and EDV are all equipped with the J1772 charging port for Level 1 and Level 2 charging and the CCS charge port for DC fast charging. For basic charging needs at home, Rivian owners can conveniently use a Level 1 EV charger with their vehicle’s J1772 port. Rivian says its upcoming models, including future iterations of its current lineup, will have NACS charge ports starting in 2025. But Rivian owners were among the first ones to be given Supercharger access in April 2024 following Ford. With a NACS adapter, non-Tesla vehicles from the two brands can charge at any of the 15,000 Superchargers nationwide. Rivian drivers were treated to a free adapter, which started shipping out in April.
Existing Charging Infrastructure
While a relative newcomer, Rivian has developed its own network of chargers called the Rivian Adventure Network. There are currently around 400 Rivian chargers in 70 locations across 22 states exclusive to Rivian models. Rivian DC chargers add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes, but the company says it will eventually increase charger speeds to 300 kW in the future, alongside plans of installing 3,500+ DC fast chargers across 600 locations in the US and Canada.
Image courtesy of InsideEVs
Rivian added it is opening its charging network to all EVs at the end of the year and installing chargers in deserts, staying true to its off-road roots.
Its switch to the NACS alliance expands the charging options for Rivian vehicles. Rivian was able to seamlessly integrate the Tesla chargers network into its charging ecosystem, allowing drivers to plug, play, and pay. Compatible Superchargers show up in the Rivian navigation and Rivian app, and automatic billing is possible without having to use a third-party mobile app.
One hiccup in Rivian's transition to NACS is the delay in adapter delivery. Rivian started the registration for free adapters on April 4 with deliveries commencing later that month. However, some Rivian owners reported their deliveries getting pushed back further than their original ETAs. The same supply chain issue is plaguing Ford, which is making users turn to third-party NACS adapters like Lectron Vortex Plug.
GM and Ford's Approach
Ford EVs were the first to gain access to Tesla Superchargers via its proprietary adapter. With the registration for free adapters starting in late March, the automaker is struggling to keep up with the demand, sending emails to its customers about further delivery delays at the end of July. But this didn't deter Ford from extending the registration until the end of August. Users have reported their ETAs getting pushed back from July to September, causing some to consider Tesla adapters like the Lectron Vortex Plug. At the rate things are going, Ford's delivery dates may be further delayed until at least early 2025. If that's the case, we can expect the launch of the first EVs with the NACS hardware to be delayed too.
Image courtesy of Ford
In GM's case, it's yet to deliver a single adapter at all, and its access to Superchargers was delayed from the target Spring 2024. The delayed rollout can be related to Tesla's sacking of its entire Supercharger team in April. GM's website only mentions "soon" as to when Cadillac, Chevy, and GMC owners can charge at Superchargers.
So When Is Rivian Getting the NACS?
If delays in NACS adapter deliveries continue, it is not looking good for the target 2025 launch of NACS-equipped EVs. The good news for Rivian and Ford users though is the Supercharger network is already open to them, and there are third-party NACS adapters they can get if they don't want to wait for the complimentary one for months on end. For Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC owners, you'll have to be a bit more patient.
FAQs
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Yes, Rivian has confirmed that it will start equipping its vehicles with NACS ports beginning in 2025, aligning with industry trends and enhancing compatibility with Tesla's extensive Supercharger network.
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Yes, as of April 2024, Rivian owners have access to Tesla Superchargers via a NACS adapter. This collaboration allows Rivian vehicles to utilize Tesla’s extensive and reliable charging infrastructure. Additionally, using a Level 2 EV charger can significantly reduce charging times for Rivian owners.
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Major automakers in the US, including Ford, GM, Rivian, and others, have committed to adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS). This widespread adoption is likely to become a universal standard in North America.
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Tesla offers a more extensive charging network and longer market presence, while Rivian focuses on adventure-oriented features and unique off-road capabilities. The choice between the two depends on specific customer needs and preferences.
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Yes, the VW Group, Porche's parent company, has announced it is adapting the NACS adapter starting in 2025.
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Yes, Rivian can use v3 Tesla Superchargers with a NACS adapter. Superchargers Open to NACS can be filtered out in both the Tesla map and Rivian navigation system.