Tesla often is the software program king, however Rivian is rising as the brand new underdog the trade is more and more taking note of.
Just a few weeks in the past, Rivian inked a take care of the Volkswagen Group to license its software program and electrical structure. Not too long ago, the startup additionally launched enormous upgrades to the second era R1S and R1T. A type of upgrades included including a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack for the bottom model, dramatically enhancing its charging occasions.
Why charging speeds matter
Charging an EV takes extra time than refueling a gasoline automobile. It is as a result of discharging electrons from a charging station at a excessive voltage, constantly and safely, isn’t any straightforward job. Nonetheless, charging firms, battery makers and automakers are discovering methods to hurry up the method.
InsideEVs’ pal and EV professional Kyle Conner, the host of the YouTube channel Out of Spec Opinions, had the chance to analyze the charging curve of the 2025 Rivian R1S twice this month. He did that earlier than and after the brand new R1S acquired a software program replace. What he discovered was charging occasions considerably improved after the software program replace and concluded that the usual battery could be the “candy spot” for many patrons.
Battery well being and information start-up Recurrent says that LFP chemistry affords main benefits over conventional nickel-manganese-cobalt packs. That features extra sturdiness and a better working voltage, value benefits in uncooked materials sourcing and manufacturing, omission of conflicted supplies like cobalt and slower degradation. There are some downsides, although. They embrace decrease vitality density, decrease vary and slower charging in winter. However a number of EVs, together with the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Mannequin 3, use LFP packs as the benefits can largely outweigh the drawbacks in sure use circumstances.
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When Conner first plugged the brand new R1S into the Alpitronic Hypercharger 400, it took about 1 hour and quarter-hour to go from 0-100%. Rivian just lately pushed a software program replace and that has decreased that charging time by about quarter-hour, Conner stated. Going from flat to 100% in just below an hour means the bottom R1S is now the quickest charging trim.
In the course of the charging check, the R1S reached a peak charging fee of 218 kilowatts, holding over 200 kW between 5-25%. Then it started tapering at round 40%. What’s spectacular is that it might probably add roughly 90 miles of vary in quarter-hour. At the very least theoretically, that ought to make it a reasonably good road-tripping companion. Within the vary check, it delivered about 240 miles on the freeway, about 30 miles lower than Rivian’s claimed vary of 270 miles in combined metropolis and freeway driving. It has a usable battery capability of 92.5 kilowatt hours.
By comparability, the primary era Rivian R1T and R1S charged from 10-80% in about 40-45 minutes in InsideEVs testing. Charging speeds slowed considerably after the 80% mark. Early launch version fashions with the massive 128.1 kWh pack charged from 10-90% in 72 minutes in Automotive and Driver testing.
