Right now would be a great time for Rivian to announce a 2-3 year free charging partnership with Electrify America

[MilliM]

Especially given how thirsty the Rivians are.

Perhaps only a token gesture given the price hike, but super price sensitive people could use it to defray the increased cost, while those that don’t value it as much could ignore it.

I’m still waiting for my home charger to get installed, but in the interim I’m loving my unlimited 30 minute charging sessions in my Polestar 2. I T hink Kia, Hyundai and VW have (or had) similar programs.

With gas prices where they are today, I’m truly appreciative of my EV savings vs gas (even if I was paying to charge at home), but doubly so given the free charging.

I realize they are building out their own RAN charging network, but this could be a relatively easy “give” to help offset the anger and disappointment so many preorder holders are feeling.

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[Cactus]

I'd rather see a partnership with Tesla's Superchargers. Pulling up to an EA charger, you never know if: 1. your credit card will work with the charger, 2. the charger and your vehicle will communicate, 3. how fast/slow it will charge.

 

[E.S.]

EA needs to really get their act together. I realize they are abundant, but too many reports of issues regarding lower charge rates and hand shakes that make them too questionable for me (I tend to used them when I travel to MI). I'm surprised ChargePoint hasn't stepped up as I find them more reliable, though less abundant.

 

[screamingkarts]

True. These were major issues with the EA. But recently they have improved a lot. I don't remember facing any of thise issues this year so far ( Houston, TX). Hopefully they fix all the EA locations.

 

[kanundrum]

Nothing yet.

 

[ads75]

I am just happy to get the Rivian at the pre-March 1 price. (assuming that won't change by the time I get my truck). Right now I pay for gas, I will just pay for electrons.

 

[SeaGeo]

Yeah, I have no problem not having an EA discount. We're already getting a large discount on the vehicles.

 

[crashmtb]

I'd rather see a partnership with Tesla's Superchargers. Pulling up to an EA charger, you never know if: 1. your credit card will work with the charger, 2. the charger and your vehicle will communicate, 3. how fast/slow it will charge.

But I’m buying a rivian in part because it’s not a Tesla ?

 

[Davethadog]

I’d prefer they stuff that money into filling out the charging infrastructure in the places i want to go.

 

[9527]

Especially given how thirsty the Rivians are.

Is “thirsty” a proper word to describe an EV? It’s not powered by liquid fuel! Perhaps.. hungry?

 

[AllInev]

I'm fine without free/discounted EA charging. However, I'd like to see an announcement by Rivian and EA about Plug-and-Pay for the R1 models:

https://www.engadget.com/electrify-america-ev-charging-payments-191652222.html

Has anyone heard of one? Until RAN is built-out, I'm going to be using EA for most of my road-trips and plug-and-pay would be great.

 

[Gamma rays]

But I’m buying a rivian in part because it’s not a Tesla ?

Not sure how you feel about Tesla, but I try to avoid Tesla because of QC issues on its vehicles. But I am not aware of any reason to avoid Tesla's charging network (if given the option as a non-Tesla EV owner). What am I missing?

GR

 

[Joel]

True. These were major issues with the EA. But recently they have improved a lot. I don't remember facing any of thise issues this year so far ( Houston, TX). Hopefully they fix all the EA locations.

I have had a couple issues. But I knew about them as the station was in the middle of firmware. Other than that they have so far seemed to be greatly improved.

Over in the Polestar forum there is an owner who is doing a South Florida to Cali trip. So far no major issues with EA and they are past Houston now. The Polestar 2 would have to stop for charge no longer that 150-170 miles between chargers. So I would say it has improved.

 

[epradox]

Not sure how you feel about Tesla, but I try to avoid Tesla because of QC issues on its vehicles. But I am not aware of any reason to avoid Tesla's charging network (if given the option as a non-Tesla EV owner). What am I missing?

GR

teslas charging network has gotten more congested and i doubt theyll open them up to non tesla in america. I think the only reason theyre opening them up in european countries is that they dont use the same tesla connector that we have in america. I believe all teslas in europes have a ccs2 connector but american ones have the tesla lightning connector (as i like to call it) meanwhile ccs2 is some chunky weird two handed monstrosity thats more akin to serial port than usb c.

 

[SeaGeo]

I have had a couple issues. But I knew about them as the station was in the middle of firmware. Other than that they have so far seemed to be greatly improved.

Over in the Polestar forum there is an owner who is doing a South Florida to Cali trip. So far no major issues with EA and they are past Houston now. The Polestar 2 would have to stop for charge no longer that 150-170 miles between chargers. So I would say it has improved.

Yeah, EA isn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be. If people want to throw stones, it should be at chargepoint.

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