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A maker of new electric vehicles (EV) is making its way into the auto industry: Rivian. The brand makes charging up its EVs a breeze. Right now, the company has 10,000 Level 2 chargers planned throughout the United States and Canada, so you won’t have any issues finding a place to juice up. And thanks to the in-vehicle navigation and Rivian app, you will be able to get notifications and watch your charge status.

How do Rivian EV cars charge?

A Rivian charging outdoors.
A Rivian charging outdoors | Getty Images

The order of business, and probably the most asked question, how do you charge a Rivian? According to Kelley Blue Book, the good news is that you can charge a Rivian EV at your house or on the road. 

You could use a portable charger at home that comes standard with every vehicle purchase. The 18-foot cord can connect to a 120V household outlet. But remember that you’ll get only about 3 miles of range per hour. 

If you need a faster way to charge at home, you can buy a Rivian Wall Charger that’s sold separately. The cord is 25 feet long and the quickest way to charge up at home. With this option, you’ll get about 25 miles of range per hour. A Rivian portable charger provides up to 16 miles of charge for every hour plugged in.

If you’re out on the road, there are still options. Most EV manufacturers use what’s called a J1772 charging plug. Rivian accepts this option and is compatible with many charging networks. Shortly there will be charging stations around hotels, restaurants, and other attractions for the public. Pricing and charging speed may vary depending on the station you visit.

How long does it take to charge a Rivian fully?

According to Kelley Blue Book, it only takes about 20 minutes to add up to 140 miles of range to a Rivian when you use a DC fast charger. Otherwise, charge times may vary.

What to know about the Rivian app and in-vehicle navigation

Kelley Blue Book states, “Rivian designed its app and in-vehicle navigation system to work seamlessly with your vehicle for access to charging status, rates, directions to nearest EV charging stations, and more.”

Kelley Blue Book added, “This makes locating stations simple and easy, and it automatically connects to the Rivian Adventure Network for contactless digital payments.” As you can see, the app and in-vehicle navigation tools are incredibly intuitive and ahead of their time.

Can you charge a Rivian with a Tesla charger?

Unfortunately, you cannot charge a Rivian with a Tesla charger. Not all chargers are made the same. You are not able to charge a Rivian at a Tesla Supercharger. However, the good news is that Rivian plans to install its fast-charging Rivian Adventure Network charging stations throughout the country. In fact, there will be approximately 600 sites along some well-known travel routes.