Rivian R1S Owner Paid $50 for 180 Miles Increase in Range at Public Charger, While Tesla's Road Trip Charging Costs Less than Gasoline
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), the debate between the Rivian R1S and the Tesla Model Y continues to capture the attention of automotive enthusiasts. One area where these two vehicles diverge significantly is the cost of charging.
Noah Washington, a seasoned automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, with 15 years of experience under his belt and a presence on prominent automotive news sites, has shed light on this topic.
The Rivian R1S, with its new Quad-Motor version, showcases off-road dominance and astonishing power, delivering 1,025 horsepower and nearly 1,200 lb-ft torque. However, this impressive performance comes at a cost, as the R1S requires more electricity per mile compared to the Tesla Model Y.
Gyuhyong Jeon, another industry expert, compared the Rivian R1S to a Ford F-150 Raptor and the Tesla to a Toyota Camry, suggesting that larger, heavier, more powerful vehicles consume more energy. This is indeed the case with the Rivian R1S, which needs about 43 kWh to travel 100 miles, whereas a Tesla Model Y requires around 29 kWh for the same distance.
This energy consumption difference has a direct impact on the cost of charging. At home electricity rates (~16.8 cents/kWh), this translates to about $72 per month for the Rivian versus $49 for the Tesla, assuming 1,000 miles driven monthly.
On public charging networks like Electrify America, where Rivian owners often rely, the monthly charging costs soar to roughly $159 versus $107 for Tesla, reflecting both Rivian’s higher energy use and higher public charging rates. Tesla’s Superchargers, with better integration and often a membership plan that reduces costs, make their fast charging cheaper per kilowatt-hour compared to Electrify America or other public DC fast chargers commonly used by Rivian drivers.
The conversation in the "RIVIAN Electric Vehicle Discussion" group on Facebook has focused on the arithmetic of road trip charging, with some R1S users expressing frustration about the cost compared to their previous Tesla. One Rivian R1S owner encountered early reliability issues, including being towed twice in a few months, which only added to their financial burden.
In contrast, Rivian has recently updated its premium interior lineup, including the addition of the Black Mountain trim, Brown Ash wood accents, and Apple Music streaming, which may help offset some of the charging costs for those willing to invest in a more luxurious driving experience.
In summary, the cost of charging a Rivian R1S is significantly higher than charging a Tesla Model Y due to the Rivian's larger size, less energy efficiency, and the higher costs associated with public fast charging networks like Electrify America.
| Aspect | Rivian R1S | Tesla Model Y | |----------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Energy use per 100 miles | ~43 kWh | ~29 kWh | | Monthly home charging cost | ~$72 (at 16.79¢/kWh) | ~$49 (at 16.79¢/kWh) | | Monthly public charging cost | ~$159 (at ~$0.37/kWh) | ~$107 (at ~$0.37/kWh, less with membership) | | Charging network | Mainly Electrify America, others | Tesla Supercharger network | | Charging ecosystem maturity | Less integrated, adapter/compatibility issues | Well-integrated, cheaper fast charging |
For those interested in Noah Washington's automotive coverage, he can be reached on X and LinkedIn.
In the discussion on electric vehicles, it's evident that the cost of charging an electric vehicle, such as the Rivian R1S, is higher than that of a Tesla Model Y. For instance, the Rivian R1S requires approximately 43 kWh of electricity to travel 100 miles, while the Tesla Model Y needs only around 29 kWh, translating to a difference of $72 and $49 in monthly home charging costs, respectively, assuming 1,000 miles driven monthly. This disparity can also be seen in public charging networks like Electrify America, where Rivian owners might spend upwards of $159 monthly, compared to Tesla owners who could pay around $107, given the less integrated and more costly nature of public fast charging networks for Rivian users.
