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A Rivian R1S proprietor is livid! His new KIA EV9 is tremendous quick charging. However his Rivian R1S? It is “horrid,” saying it is “Tesla sluggish”. Is Rivian’s quick charging actually damaged?
The Rivian R1S Charging Dilemma: Why the Kia EV9 Is Leaving It within the Mud
Tech reviewer Quinn Nelson of @SnazzyLabs has sparked a fierce debate over DC fast-charging efficiency, detailing a stark and irritating distinction between his two electrical SUVs. Since buying a Kia EV9, Nelson has been severely underwhelmed by his Rivian R1S, which he now labels “horrid” and “Tesla sluggish.”
The EV9 constantly maintains a sturdy charging pace of 200kW as much as 80% State of Cost (SoC), attaining important vary boosts in as little as quarter-hour. In sharp distinction, Nelson reported that his Rivian R1S was crawling at simply 70kW at 73% SoC, even in reasonable 50°F climate, main him to criticize its real-world charging functionality.
Quinn Nelson sums it up,
“Ever since we bought a KIA EV9, I’ve been so aggravated every time I’ve to DC quick cost my Rivian R1S. It’s so sluggish. It’s like… Tesla sluggish. The EV9 can preserve 200kW to 80% SoC. Actually takes like 15 min to get 70+%. In the meantime, it’s 50°F, and my Rivian R1S is at 70kW at 73%. Horrid.”
That is greater than only a grievance; it is a symptom of the largest hole at present going through the EV business: the gulf between 400-volt and 800-volt architectures. As in my latest report, hundreds of homeowners love their R1S for its functionality and design; this charging inconsistency is a real ache level and touches on the often-cited situation of battery conditioning.
We have beforehand examined this theme of variable efficiency, akin to when one proprietor struggled to search out consistency in: Rivian Proprietor Charged 11 Hours and Solely bought 70 Miles On One Day, however 150 on One other Day Utilizing the Similar Dwelling Charger. She Tries to Perceive the Distinction Regardless of The Situations Being Similar.
That report, centered on Stage 2 charging, highlights that Rivian’s battery administration is extremely delicate to situations, and that sensitivity turns into a legal responsibility at high-speed DC stations.
The core of the issue lies not in Rivian’s peak charging fee, which may hit a good 220kW when situations are good and the State of Cost is low, however in its capability to maintain that prime fee. The Rivian R1S, constructed on a 400-volt structure, has an enormous battery pack (as much as 135 kWh or extra). Pushing excessive energy into such a big pack heats it quickly.
The battery administration system (BMS) within the R1S—which is arguably programmed to be extremely protecting of battery well being—employs an aggressive taper. This taper considerably reduces energy enter because the SoC climbs from 50% to 60%, stopping extreme warmth —the battery’s greatest enemy. That is why Nelson noticed the speed plummet to 70kW above 70% SoC.
This aggressive slowdown basically adjustments the expertise of overcoming charging nervousness on long-distance EV highway journeys. We all know from previous protection, akin to my report: I Wished a Tesla Cybertruck Till I Received This Rivian R1S Loaner, It Has No Elon Shenanigans, Matches My Storage, 410 Mile Vary, and Would not Nag on the Freeway, that charging consistency—or lack thereof—is the one greatest barrier to EV adoption for long-haul drivers.
The 800-Volt Benefit: Kia EV9’s Technical Superiority
The Kia EV9, conversely, runs on Hyundai Motor Group’s devoted E-GMP platform, which options an 800-volt structure. This can be a game-changer. Consider it this fashion: to ship the identical energy, an 800V system wants solely half the present (amperage) in comparison with a 400V system. Decrease present means much less resistance, which in flip means much less warmth is generated inside the battery, wiring, and charging elements.
That is the technical reply to the variations between 800-volt and 400-volt EV charging. As a result of the EV9 manages warmth higher, it might maintain its peak charging pace (which is near 240kW) for much longer into the cost cycle—usually, as Nelson notes, nicely previous 80% SoC. This capability to constantly maintain a excessive fee is what makes the distinction between a 15-minute pit cease and a 40-minute wait. For the household driver on a highway journey, that point financial savings is invaluable.
I lately drove the EV9 GT-Line, and the charging comfort is famous on this Torque Information article: I Drove My Kia EV9 GT-Line 1,400 Miles Spherical Journey From Savannah To Memphis And Found Mercedes Chargers Are Superior Whereas Atlanta’s Stations Had been Fully Full. When the infrastructure cooperates, the 800V system is just a superior expertise.
Three Suggestions for Rivian Homeowners
For those who personal an R1S and are experiencing this frustration, there are answers and finest practices you possibly can undertake to mitigate the taper and maximize your cost session:
- Prioritize Preconditioning: The only most vital step for higher efficiency is to make sure your battery is on the optimum temperature (round 70°F) earlier than plugging in. Understanding Rivian’s battery thermal administration system limitations means you should manually set your navigation to a DC quick charger at the least half-hour earlier than arrival. For those who roll up chilly, your car will spend helpful minutes—and vitality—heating the battery as a substitute of charging it rapidly.
- Optimize Your SoC Window: Cease charging classes earlier. The info clearly reveals the sharp taper above 60%–70% SoC. For road-tripping effectivity, it’s virtually at all times quicker to cost from 10% to 60% after which drive to the subsequent charger than it’s to cost from 10% to 80% at one cease. This can be a key piece of Actionable suggestions for bettering Rivian R1S charging occasions.
- Select Your Charger Properly: Whereas the Rivian Journey Community (RAN) is handy, third-party stations like Electrify America can generally provide higher sustained charges, relying on the location. Nonetheless, be conscious of the economics.
As mentioned in my report: My 2022 Tesla Mannequin 3 Has Misplaced So A lot Worth, I’m Buying and selling It In For a 2025 Rivian R1S Tri, I’m About To Pull the Set off, However I’m Scared, we see that high-speed charging may be costly. All the time verify the per-kWh fee versus the time saved to investigate the precise price of DC quick charging for giant electrical SUVs.
Key Takeaways for EV Homeowners
- Structure Issues: The Kia EV9’s 800V structure inherently outperforms the Rivian R1S’s 400V system at sustaining excessive charging charges, particularly above 50% SoC.
- The Taper is a Characteristic for Longevity: Rivian’s aggressive taper protects its large battery pack from warmth harm however sacrifices pace within the course of.
- Preconditioning is Necessary: All the time navigate to your DC quick charger utilizing the car’s navigation system to provoke battery preconditioning, ideally for 30+ minutes.
- Cost Low, Cease Early: To maximise time effectivity, use the Kia EV9 charging curve vs. Rivian R1S real-world pace information to cost the Rivian R1S solely between 10% and 60%, minimizing time spent within the sluggish taper zone.
What Rivian Homeowners Are Saying
The sentiment from the proprietor group relating to the R1S charging inconsistency echoes Nelson’s frustration, usually pointing to reliability points and the need of correct preconditioning:
- Reddit (Reliability): “On my second highway journey, DC quick charging was flaky, charging pace dropped to 1kw/h, after which would not work in any respect. Rivian recognized the difficulty as a failure of the quick charging module and changed the complete battery pack.”
- Reddit (Preconditioning/Velocity): “My R1S Gen2 Commonplace is painfully sluggish until it has preconditioned for 45 min, however normally it begins too near the charger to do any good… severely limits my need to highway journey when it maxes out at 90Kw more often than not.”
- Reddit (Aggressive Taper): “Kia’s charging curve and pace destroys Rivian’s. I am disenchanted that Rivian cannot preserve 100kW+ till at the least 80%.”
Wrapping It Up:
The truth is that whereas the Rivian R1S stays a formidable, high-performance journey car, the older 400-volt structure can’t compete with the sustained excessive charging charges of the newer 800-volt Kia EV9. Rivian homeowners should grow to be consultants in battery preconditioning and strategic State of Cost administration to make long-distance charging tolerable, whereas EV9 homeowners take pleasure in a much more handy “plug-and-play” road-trip expertise due to their superior electrical platform.
Inform Us What You Assume
Are you a Rivian proprietor who has discovered a profitable workaround for the aggressive charging taper, or have you ever skilled the Kia EV9’s 800V benefit firsthand? Share your experiences and charging suggestions within the feedback under.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque Information Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive experience to each story. My profession started with a consulting function for each main automotive model, adopted by years as a contract journalist test-driving new automobiles—equipping me with a wealth of insider information. I specialise in delivering the newest auto information, sharing compelling proprietor tales, and offering knowledgeable, up-to-date evaluation to maintain you absolutely knowledgeable.
Comply with me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Fb, Instagram and LinkedIn
Photograph credit score: Denis Flierl by way of Quinn Nelson
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