4 Three-Row Electrical SUVs Raced From Colorado To Vegas. Charging Received Difficult

The Out of Spec YouTube channel has a big library of electrical automobile comparability movies. Their long-distance races specifically do an important job highlighting every automobile platform’s greatest options and the place they fall brief. For this newest race, the workforce is pitting massive, three-row SUVs in opposition to each other in a simulation of a standard household highway journey. 

The primary competitor is the Rivian R1S. It is a first-generation instance, not the up to date 2025 mannequin. However vary and efficiency needs to be comparable within the second-generation items. With a 140+ kWh battery and 400 miles of EPA vary, the Rivian has essentially the most long-distance functionality out of the gate. 

On this video, hosts Jordan and Andreas are driving the Rivian they usually plan to keep away from Electrify America stations, prioritizing the Rivian Journey Community and the Tesla Superchargers. Rivian’s vehicles can now use these chargers with an adapter.

The Tesla Mannequin X on this competitors is the 100 kWh Lengthy Vary model with the aero wheels. Whereas the Mannequin X was the primary three-row SUV in the marketplace, this specific instance doesn’t embrace a 3rd row. Apart from native entry to Tesla’s dependable Supercharger community, this automotive additionally has the very best peak cost velocity right here of 250 kW.

Ryan and Lacey are piloting the Tesla and can attempt to keep on the decrease finish of the battery pack to benefit from the height cost fee. 

The Kia EV9 is essentially the most reasonably priced three-row electrical in the marketplace, even outfitted with the massive 100 kWh battery pack. Whereas the EV9’s peak cost speeds are decrease than the Mannequin X, the upper voltage battery can maintain a charging velocity higher than 200 kW as much as an 80% state of cost. 

Max and Domenick are manning the Kia and shall be aiming to all the time cost at 350kW Electrify America stations to benefit from the EV9’s wonderful cost curve. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is by far essentially the most luxurious right here, with a cushty inside and glossy design. Regardless of being rated for “solely” 330 miles of EPA vary, the Mercedes exceeded the EPA vary by 50 miles in Out of Spec’s freeway take a look at, simply toppling the R1S in a side-by-side comparability. Drew and Kyle shall be road-tripping within the EQS and plan to use this surprisingly lengthy freeway driving vary.

The route for this highway journey begins on the Out of Spec workplaces in Fort Collins, CO, about an hour from Denver, and can finish at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Nobody is allowed to exceed 10 mph over the velocity restrict and the max driving velocity is 85 mph.  

The EV9 workforce determined to make their first cease at Glenwood Springs which was about 220 miles from the beginning of the race. They briefly thought-about pushing on to Grand Junction. Nonetheless, doing so would have required a discount in velocity that might have put them into final place behind the Mannequin X.

This was most likely the correct resolution for them, however they expressed frustration with the truth that the CCS station was situated over a mile from the freeway. Fortunately, their cost session began with out a hitch and the automotive was nonetheless pulling 220 kW whereas 70% charged. Sadly, Electrify America could also be getting higher, nevertheless it’s not with out its points nonetheless. Two of the stations have been out of service. However after a cost session of simply over 10 minutes, they have been again on the highway once more. 

After watching the arrival proportion and estimated vary drop on the Mannequin X, the Tesla workforce determined to show off their A/C early within the race in an effort to make their most well-liked charging cease in Parachute, CO which went off with out a hitch. However to achieve Inexperienced River, they wanted to cost again to about 60%. So each workforce members watched impatiently because the charging speeds tapered all the way down to 150 kW. To enhance charging speeds on this scorching summer season day, in addition they used the previous moist rag on the deal with trick.

The Rivian workforce had its personal problems, primarily with the truck’s software program. The route planner was initially sending them off on an odd route that might have added a number of minutes to their cost cease. However the state of affairs worsened once they arrived on the charger to search out all items occupied and one out of service. In the meantime, Rivian’s software program claimed that 4 out of the six chargers have been out there.

It wasn’t lengthy earlier than one of many stations cleared up. However after initiating a cost, the cost fee was restricted to 90 kW for fairly a while. After one other shared charging station started ramping down, the Rivian workforce’s station finally began to ramp up in velocity.

The EQS workforce determined to barely scale back their common freeway velocity and speed up gently for the primary leg of the journey. They have been hoping to push their first cease to Inexperienced River however finally determined to cease on the Grand Junction, CO station. Right here, they needed to bribe a Kia Niro EV driver to surrender one of many 350 kW items.

Mercedes EQS Out of Spec Street Journey

The Mercedes’ charging speeds ramped as much as 180 kW rapidly however immediately stopped charging simply minutes later. They have been in a position to provoke a second session, however this time the automobile solely ramped as much as 150 kW with the automotive stating that the charging station was restricted.

In true Out of Spec style, this 2.5-hour video is barely Half 1 of the race. So we are going to simply have to attend to see which automotive comes out on high. However it’s an fascinating demonstration of the varied conditions EV drivers discover themselves in when road-tripping lengthy distances; one route is rarely the identical twice.

Have you ever pushed this route via Colorado to Las Vegas your self? Does it usually go easily for you or have you ever encountered comparable conditions with the charging {hardware} in your journey? Tell us your expertise within the feedback beneath.