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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 gradual”. 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 gradual.”
The EV9 persistently maintains a strong charging velocity of 200kW as much as 80% State of Cost (SoC), attaining vital 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 obtained a KIA EV9, I’ve been so aggravated each time I’ve to DC quick cost my Rivian R1S. It’s so gradual. It’s like… Tesla gradual. The EV9 can keep 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 most important hole at the moment dealing with the EV trade: 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 concern of battery conditioning.
We have beforehand examined this theme of variable efficiency, equivalent to when one proprietor struggled to seek out consistency in: Rivian Proprietor Charged 11 Hours and Solely obtained 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 An identical.
That report, targeted on Degree 2 charging, highlights that Rivian’s battery administration is extremely delicate to circumstances, 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 charge, which might hit a good 220kW when circumstances are good and the State of Cost is low, however in its potential to maintain that top charge. 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. This is the reason 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, equivalent to my report: I Wished a Tesla Cybertruck Till I Obtained This Rivian R1S Loaner, It Has No Elon Shenanigans, Matches My Storage, 410 Mile Vary, and Does not Nag on the Freeway, that charging consistency—or lack thereof—is the only 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. It is a game-changer. Consider it this manner: 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 parts.
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 velocity (which is near 240kW) for much longer into the cost cycle—typically, as Nelson notes, properly previous 80% SoC. This potential to persistently maintain a excessive charge 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 just 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 Utterly Full. When the infrastructure cooperates, the 800V system is just a superior expertise.
Three Suggestions for Rivian Homeowners
If you happen to personal an R1S and are experiencing this frustration, there are answers and finest practices you may undertake to mitigate the taper and maximize your cost session:
- Prioritize Preconditioning: The only most important 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 have to manually set your navigation to a DC quick charger a minimum of half-hour earlier than arrival. If you happen to roll up chilly, your automobile will spend priceless minutes—and power—heating the battery as a substitute of charging it shortly.
- Optimize Your SoC Window: Cease charging classes earlier. The information clearly reveals the sharp taper above 60%–70% SoC. For road-tripping effectivity, it’s virtually all the time sooner to cost from 10% to 60% after which drive to the following charger than it’s to cost from 10% to 80% at one cease. It is a key piece of Actionable suggestions for enhancing Rivian R1S charging occasions.
- Select Your Charger Properly: Whereas the Rivian Journey Community (RAN) is handy, third-party stations like Electrify America can typically provide higher sustained charges, relying on the positioning. 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 will be costly. At all times test the per-kWh charge versus the time saved to research 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 huge battery pack from warmth injury however sacrifices velocity within the course of.
- Preconditioning is Obligatory: At all times navigate to your DC quick charger utilizing the automobile’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 velocity information to cost the Rivian R1S solely between 10% and 60%, minimizing time spent within the gradual taper zone.
What Rivian Homeowners Are Saying
The sentiment from the proprietor group relating to the R1S charging inconsistency echoes Nelson’s frustration, typically pointing to reliability points and the need of correct preconditioning:
- Reddit (Reliability): “On my second highway journey, DC quick charging was flaky, charging velocity 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/Pace): “My R1S Gen2 Normal is painfully gradual except it has preconditioned for 45 min, however often 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 velocity destroys Rivian’s. I am disenchanted that Rivian cannot keep 100kW+ till a minimum of 80%.”
Wrapping It Up:
The truth is that whereas the Rivian R1S stays a formidable, high-performance journey automobile, 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 specialists 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 because of 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 ideas within the feedback beneath.
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 position for each main automobile model, adopted by years as a contract journalist test-driving new autos—equipping me with a wealth of insider data. I concentrate on delivering the most recent auto information, sharing compelling proprietor tales, and offering professional, up-to-date evaluation to maintain you totally knowledgeable.
Observe me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Fb, Instagram and LinkedIn
Photograph credit score: Denis Flierl by way of Quinn Nelson
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