Charge Rivian with Tesla Wall Charger: Is it Possible?
Are you a proud new owner of a Rivian R1T or R1S electric truck/SUV? Congratulations! As more electric vehicles hit the roads, charging infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Can Rivian owners use Tesla’s ubiquitous wall connectors to charge their vehicles? Let’s dig in and find out Charge Rivian with Tesla Wall Charger: Is it Possible?
Table of Contents
An Introduction to Rivian and Tesla Charging
Rivian vehicles come equipped to utilize Level 2 and DC fast charging based on the North American standard, known as J1772. This differs from Tesla’s proprietary charging connector. However, Rivian does include a J1772 adapter with the vehicle, allowing access to a wide range of third-party chargers, including Tesla wall connectors with the proper additional adapter.
Tesla wall connectors supply up to 48 amps at 240 volts. Using the in-box J1772 adapter along with a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter allows a Rivian to connect and draw up to 40 amps for optimal charging speed. Let’s take a closer look.
Can You Charge a Rivian with a Tesla Wall Connector?
Yes, a Rivian can connect to and charge from a Tesla wall connector by using:
- The J1772 adapter included with Rivian vehicles
- A third-party adapter that converts the Tesla connector to J1772
This allows the Rivian to establish the required communication protocol (handshake) with the Tesla charger and start a safe charging session.
Many owners have reported success charging their R1T or R1S using Tesla wall connectors in this manner without issue. However, charging speed may be reduced unless properly configured. Let’s take a look at why.
What Adapters Are Required to Connect Rivian with Tesla?
There are two adapters needed to charge a Rivian using a Tesla wall connector:
1. The included Rivian J1772 Adapter
- Rivian provides a J1772 charging adapter with both the R1T truck and R1S SUV models.
- This adapter converts Rivian’s charging port to the widely used J1772 connector standard.
- This adapter alone DOES NOT allow connecting to Tesla chargers, an additional Tesla-to-J1772 adapter is also required as outlined next.
2. A Tesla-to-J1772 Adapter
- There are a few aftermarket options available, such as the TeslaTap Mini.
- This adapter converts the Tesla wall connector to a J1772 plug that the Rivian OEM adapter can connect to.
- Using the Rivian J1772 adapter along with one of these aftermarket Tesla-to-J1772 adapters enables connecting the Rivian for charging.
Charging Speed Comparison of Rivian with Tesla Connectors
The maximum charge rates supported by the platform 3 Rivians (R1T and R1S models) are:
- Up to 11.5kW on a 48 amp 240V AC supply on a 60A circuit
- Up to 7.7kW on a 32 amp 240V AC supply on a 40A circuit
In comparison, a Tesla wall connector can supply:
- Up to 11.5 kW at 48 amps
- 7.7 kW at 32 amps
So theoretically, a Rivian can charge at full speed from a properly configured 48 amp Tesla wall connector. However, most existing Tesla wall connectors are likely limited to 40 amps rather than the full 48 amps in consideration of typical electrical service capabilities.
At 40 amps, the maximum charging rate for Rivian from a Tesla wall connector would be limited to around 9.6 kW. This is still a decent L2 AC charging speed that will meet most owners’ daily driving needs. But it falls short of the 11.5 kW maximum that is possible on a higher amperage circuit.
The takeaway? While using a Tesla wall connector is possible with Rivian vehicles, pay close attention to the available electrical circuit rating and Tesla wall connector configuration to ensure optimal charging speed.
Installation and Wiring for Using Tesla Connectors with Rivian
Safety should always come first when installing or modifying electrical systems. Consult a qualified electrician if unsure of wiring requirements and capacity for the electrical circuit that will power the Tesla wall connector used by your Rivian vehicle.
Most existing Tesla wall connector installations should have enough excess capacity to supply a charging Rivian without wiring upgrades. But careful consideration should be made around:
- The home’s main electrical panel capacity
- The size of the circuit breaker powering the wall connector
- The wall connector’s configured maximum current draw
As a best practice for optimal charge rate in a Rivian, the circuit breaker and wall connector should be rated to supply 48-amps at 240V on 6 gauge copper wire. This requires at least a 60A circuit in most cases. Upgrading may be required if the existing electrical service or Tesla wall connector limits amperage below this level.
Again, please consult a licensed electrician before modifying existing electrical wiring or circuits powering a Tesla wall connector that will be used by a Rivian vehicle.
Setting Charge Current and Limiting with a Tesla Charger
Tesla wall connectors can be configured to limit the maximum current supplied during a charge session. As outlined above, 40-amps are commonly used as a compromise between charge speed and home electrical service capacity.
If charging a non-Tesla vehicle like a Rivian, the wall connector’s charge current should be confirmed and adjusted to the maximum supported level. This ensures the fastest charging times.
Depending on the specific Tesla wall connector model, this can be accomplished by:
- Using the Tesla mobile app
- Initiating a manual firmware update procedure
- Adjusting an internal DIP switch
Reference the installation guide for your specific Tesla wall connector model for detailed steps to configure the charge current. Consider setting amperage to the maximum 48A supply if electrical system capacity allows to enable the quickest Rivian charging time.
Weighing Pros and Cons of Using Tesla Chargers with Rivian
Below we summarize some key pros and cons discovered by Rivian owners leveraging Tesla wall connectors for charging:
Pros
- Tesla chargers are widely available (over 200,000 installs globally)
- A max charge rate of 11.5kW is technically possible in Rivian (with a 48A capable unit)
- Adapters allow smart charging, and remote monitoring/control via the phone app
- May already have accessible Tesla charger (compatibility opens more L2 charging locations)
Cons
- Most Tesla wall connectors limit max current below Rivian’s capability
- Adapter cost is required (~$500 for the TeslaTap Mini)
- Some owners report occasional charging errors/inconsistencies
- Tesla wall connector firmware updates may impact compatibility
So while using a Tesla wall connector is certainly possible with Rivian vehicles, it requires adapters along with careful configuration for optimal functionality. Direct wired Rivian wall chargers up to 19.2kW coming to market in late 2023 will provide a more seamless high-speed charging experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Rivian use the J1772 charging standard and not Tesla?
A: Rivian has chosen to utilize the North American J1772 charging standard to maximize compatibility with the widest range of AC charging infrastructure available today and into the future. While Tesla maintains its proprietary connectors and Supercharger DC fast charging network, Rivian owners can tap into third-party Level 2 and DC fast chargers that support J1772. This provides more charging flexibility.
Q: Can a Rivian be charged on a Tesla Supercharger?
A: No. The Rivian vehicles use a different DC fast charge connector standard from Tesla Superchargers and they are not cross-compatible at this time. Rivian plans to deploy its own proprietary DC fast charging network called the Rivian Adventure Network in key locations for road trip charging needs.
Q: Can existing Tesla wall connector wiring support Rivian charging?
A: In most cases, yes. Tesla wall connectors are commonly wired to supply 40 amps which limits Rivian charging speed to 9.6 kW. Upgrading the wiring and increasing the wall connector amperage to 48A unlocks the fastest possible 11.5kW L2 AC charging with Rivian. Consult an electrician to evaluate electrical service capacity and optimal wiring requirements.
Q: Will using Tesla adapters void the Rivian new vehicle warranty?
A: Rivian has not issued any specific guidance or warnings against using aftermarket adapters, including Tesla-to-J1772 options that allow their vehicles to charge on Tesla wall connectors. As long as any adapters or charging equipment used meets the appropriate electrical specifications (240V AC supply, up to 48A current), there should be no risk of impacting the new vehicle warranty from Rivian. As always, consult your specific limited warranty documentation or inquire with Rivian directly regarding any concerns around potential warranty impacts from charging equipment used.
Key Takeaways When Charging a Rivian with Tesla
- Rivian vehicles can connect to and charge from Tesla wall connectors by using the right J1772 and Tesla-to-J1772 charge port adapters
- Maximum charge rate may be limited by electrical circuit capacity and wall connector configuration (aim for 48A to unlock fastest charging)
- Consider consulting an electrician when installing or modifying existing electrical to power any EV wall chargers
- Set the Tesla wall connector to supply maximum current based on the circuit breaker amp rating for optimal Rivian charging speed
The Bottom Line
While Rivian vehicles and Tesla utilize different charge port standards, aftermarket adapters provide a workaround to enable Rivian owners to charge from existing Tesla wall connectors. This requires using the Rivian-provided J1772 adapter along with a separate Tesla-to-J1772 adapter. With the right electrical capacity and adapter equipment, compatible Tesla wall chargers can reliably deliver charging at speeds up to 11kW to a Rivian vehicle. This allows most owners to conveniently top up battery charge from home overnight between daily driving. Just take care to check wiring capacity along with the Tesla wall connector configuration to maximize the charge current available to the Rivian on 240V, 48-amp circuits wherever possible for the fastest level 2 AC charging experience.
Summary of Key Points
- Rivian R1T and R1S models can charge from Tesla wall connectors using adapters
- Max charge rate is 11.5kW (with 48A capable unit)
- The Rivian J1772 adapter must be paired with a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter
- Consider electrical service upgrades to supply 48A for the fastest charging
- Adjust Tesla wall connector amperage to the maximum rated level
- Tesla charger use is reliable but direct-wire Rivian chargers coming in 2023 provide the best user experience
