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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 really 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 constantly maintains a sturdy charging velocity of 200kW as much as 80% State of Cost (SoC), reaching 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 received 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 largest hole at present going through the EV trade: the gulf between 400-volt and 800-volt architectures. As in my current report, hundreds of householders love their R1S for its functionality and design; this charging inconsistency is a real ache level and touches on the often-cited problem of battery conditioning.
We have beforehand examined this theme of variable efficiency, resembling when one proprietor struggled to search out consistency in: Rivian Proprietor Charged 11 Hours and Solely received 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, 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 price, which might hit a good 220kW when circumstances are excellent and the State of Cost is low, however in its potential to maintain that prime price. The Rivian R1S, constructed on a 400-volt structure, has a large 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. Because of this Nelson noticed the speed plummet to 70kW above 70% SoC.
This aggressive slowdown essentially modifications the expertise of overcoming charging anxiousness on long-distance EV street journeys. We all know from previous protection, resembling my report: I Needed a Tesla Cybertruck Till I Obtained This Rivian R1S Loaner, It Has No Elon Shenanigans, Suits 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 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 throughout 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 probably maintain its peak charging velocity (which is near 240kW) for much longer into the cost cycle—typically, as Nelson notes, nicely previous 80% SoC. This potential to constantly maintain a excessive price is what makes the distinction between a 15-minute pit cease and a 40-minute wait. For the household driver on a street 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 Have been Fully Full. When the infrastructure cooperates, the 800V system is solely a superior expertise.
Three Suggestions for Rivian House owners
When you personal an R1S and are experiencing this frustration, there are answers and greatest practices you possibly can undertake to mitigate the taper and maximize your cost session:
- Prioritize Preconditioning: The one 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 should manually set your navigation to a DC quick charger at the very least half-hour earlier than arrival. When you roll up chilly, your car will spend precious minutes—and vitality—heating the battery as an alternative of charging it rapidly.
- Optimize Your SoC Window: Cease charging classes earlier. The information clearly exhibits the sharp taper above 60%–70% SoC. For road-tripping effectivity, it’s virtually at all times 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. 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 supply 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 may be costly. All the time test the per-kWh price versus the time saved to investigate the precise value of DC quick charging for big electrical SUVs.
Key Takeaways for EV House owners
- 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 harm however sacrifices velocity 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 velocity knowledge to cost the Rivian R1S solely between 10% and 60%, minimizing time spent within the gradual taper zone.
What Rivian House owners Are Saying
The sentiment from the proprietor neighborhood concerning the R1S charging inconsistency echoes Nelson’s frustration, typically pointing to reliability points and the need of correct preconditioning:
- Reddit (Reliability): “On my second street journey, DC quick charging was flaky, charging velocity dropped to 1kw/h, after which would not work in any respect. Rivian recognized the problem as a failure of the quick charging module and changed all the battery pack.”
- Reddit (Preconditioning/Pace): “My R1S Gen2 Customary is painfully gradual until it has preconditioned for 45 min, however normally it begins too near the charger to do any good… critically limits my want to street 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 upset that Rivian cannot keep 100kW+ till at the very 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 not 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 get pleasure from 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 ideas 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 position for each main automobile 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 most recent auto information, sharing compelling proprietor tales, and offering skilled, up-to-date evaluation to maintain you absolutely knowledgeable.
Observe me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Fb, Instagram and LinkedIn
Photograph credit score: Denis Flierl through Quinn Nelson
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