Rivian’s upcoming all-electric crossover SUV, the R2, has garnered significant attention and acclaim within the electric vehicle community, with CEO RJ Scaringe announcing over 68,000 reservations for the vehicle. However, one aspect of the R2 has raised eyebrows – its charge port location.
The R2 prototype, along with the R3 and R3X prototypes, showcased a charge port positioned on the rear passenger side. This design choice has led to concerns among EV owners, who note that this setup would require the R2 to occupy two spots at Tesla’s V3 and V2 Superchargers.
See also: Everything You Should Know Rivian R2 Battery Cell
EV advocate Chris Hilbert, who attended the R2 event, shared insights into Rivian’s rationale for the charge port location. According to Hilbert, Rivian anticipates the charging infrastructure to evolve over the next two years, with a shift towards curbside charging. Despite this explanation, Hilbert acknowledged that Rivian employees were receptive to feedback regarding the charge port location being perceived as a flaw.
I stopped back at the theater to talk to many @Rivian employees tonight. I told them this is the only flaw of the vehicle and they were wrong on charge port location. They did listen to the feedback. They have 2 years to fix it. https://t.co/d9mTqhBFWs
— Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe) March 8, 2024
The discussion around the R2’s charge port location has extended to social media, prompting Tesla Cybertruck Lead Engineer Wes Morrill to weigh in on the matter. Morrill suggested that Rivian relocate the charge port to the rear driver’s side, aligning with Tesla’s existing network of over 50,000 V3 and V2 Superchargers optimized for vehicles with charge ports in that position.
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@RJScaringe @nkalayjian cool product. Great looking prototypes. I know how these things go, there is still time to move the charge port location. It will take some re-engineering but the tools are not kicked off yet. This location will forever doom all Rivian owners to be the… https://t.co/T7wiylQhQH
— Wes (@wmorrill3) March 8, 2024
Morrill emphasized the importance of accommodating existing infrastructure, urging Rivian to consider re-engineering the charge port location before production begins. He highlighted Tesla’s V4 Superchargers, which feature longer cables that can accommodate various charge port door locations.
See also: Rivian Reveals R2 SUV Without Air Suspension, Emphasizes Dynamic Performance
Rivian, known for prioritizing consumer feedback in its vehicle designs, faces increasing pressure from the EV community to reconsider the R2’s charge port location. With substantial requests for a relocation, it remains to be seen if Rivian will adhere to its original design or make adjustments based on feedback before the vehicle’s release.
Quite sure the R2 will have reverse and be able to back up to a charger port
Backed into the space it’s on the wrong side. The real issue here is Tesla chargers not having power cords long enough to reach both sides of the space — not Rivian’s port location.
Tesla changed the power cables in Europe to longer ones so that they can fit other brands. I see no reason why they shouldn’t do the same in the US.
When you consider parking requirements for anywhere other than in suburban 90 degree off street parking. Drivers rear corner is the worst possible location. Passenger front corner works best, followed by passenger rear, the drivers front. Drivers rear doesn’t work in any sort of on street parking scenario (angled or parallel) and doesn’t work very well in angled off street either.