Are There Alternatives to Rivian Level2 Charger?

[CraigB]

On my Gen 1 R1T, the Tesla Mobile charger works (with an adapter), but it does take about 15-30 seconds to go from red to green (on the truck side).

I've heard from others that the Tesla gen1/2 mobile charger will charge pretty much anything when it runs through a J1772 adapter... but if you're plugging into a NACS native vehicle it will just get confused and refuse

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[CharonPDX]

I've heard from others that the Tesla gen1/2 mobile charger will charge pretty much anything when it runs through a J1772 adapter... but if you're plugging into a NACS native vehicle it will just get confused and refuse

That shouldn't happen. For AC charging (L1/L2) the spec is identical. Any adapter is literally just passing the pins straight through. I don't have any non-Tesla NACS vehicles to confirm, though.

I do use mystery Tesla Gen 1 mobile cord on all my EVs with an adapter, though.

 

[CraigB]

That shouldn't happen. For AC charging (L1/L2) the spec is identical. Any adapter is literally just passing the pins straight through. I don't have any non-Tesla NACS vehicles to confirm, though.

I do use mystery Tesla Gen 1 mobile cord on all my EVs with an adapter, though.

"I don't have any non-Tesla NACS vehicles to confirm, though."

Find a buddy with a non-Tesla NACS vehicle and try it out. You'll find the same thing the rest of the internet has found-- because it's going into a NACS vehicle the mobile charger tries to talk "enhanced J1772" rather than vanilla J1772 and it freaks out the vehicle. Lots and lots of discussions on Reddit and elsewhere about it, but Gen1/Gen2 Tesla mobile connectors almost never work with non-Tesla NACS vehicles

 

[CharonPDX]

"I don't have any non-Tesla NACS vehicles to confirm, though."

Find a buddy with a non-Tesla NACS vehicle and try it out. You'll find the same thing the rest of the internet has found-- because it's going into a NACS vehicle the mobile charger tries to talk "enhanced J1772" rather than vanilla J1772 and it freaks out the vehicle. Lots and lots of discussions on Reddit and elsewhere about it, but Gen1/Gen2 Tesla mobile connectors almost never work with non-Tesla NACS vehicles

Interesting. I don't know anyone with a non-Tesla NACS. Only J1172, CCS, or actual Teslas.

 

[Jeremy3292]

That shouldn't happen. For AC charging (L1/L2) the spec is identical. Any adapter is literally just passing the pins straight through. I don't have any non-Tesla NACS vehicles to confirm, though.

I do use mystery Tesla Gen 1 mobile cord on all my EVs with an adapter, though.

The communication protocol on Tesla Gen2 mobile and wall connectors was Tesla proprietary. It will not work with NACS vehicles as NACS didn’t exist when these chargers were made. Plenty of threads and Reddits on this of former Tesla owners trying them with 2026 Rivian R1s and other OEMs with native NACS ports. Doesn’t work. You need the Gen3 mobile or wall connector for it to work.

 

[fratpack]

In eager anticipation of ordering an R2 Premium, the reality of needed an in-home level 2 charger is obvious. According to the Rivian Store, their level 2 charger is currently at $800 without installation. I have found several reputable companies offering level 2 charges for almost half the cost.

What are your feelings. Should I use a Rivian charger, or is it safe to go with another? In either case, the charger and 50A 240V line from my circuit panel will be installed by me.

Thanks!

Roger

 

[fratpack]

I currently have a Genesis GV70 Prestige. I had an electrcian install a 240/40amp outlet in my garage. I bought a $150 charger from Amazon that you can adjust betreen 30 amp to 40 amp. I been using it for almost 3 years now without any issues. Anything branded they just jack up the price. Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

[VSG]

The communication protocol on Tesla Gen2 mobile and wall connectors was Tesla proprietary. It will not work with NACS vehicles as NACS didn’t exist when these chargers were made. Plenty of threads and Reddits on this of former Tesla owners trying them with 2026 Rivian R1s and other OEMs with native NACS ports. Doesn’t work. You need the Gen3 mobile or wall connector for it to work.

This is also the same reason Tesla V1 and V2 superchargers won't work with Rivians. Those Tesla chargers are not NACS, they are Tesla-proprietary chargers.

The physical plug for NACS is also technically different than the Tesla plug, although NACS is a superset of the Tesla plug so the Tesla plug should always fit in a NACS outlet.

 

[R2D2TOO]

A couple questions for the pros here; (I'm still an EV Noob.)

1) It looks like the Tesla NACS wall connector is no longer available from Amazon. Buy direct from Tesla or is there another source?
2) I see lots of outdoor installations. Any issues with this? Texas summer heat is brutal...
3) Is charging outside the garage better than inside?
4) Is it ok to run the cable under the garage door (charger is installed inside garage)

THANKS!

 

[Jeremy3292]

A couple questions for the pros here; (I'm still an EV Noob.)

1) It looks like the Tesla NACS wall connector is no longer available from Amazon. Buy direct from Tesla or is there another source?
2) I see lots of outdoor installations. Any issues with this? Texas summer heat is brutal...
3) Is charging outside the garage better than inside?
4) Is it ok to run the cable under the garage door (charger is installed inside garage)

THANKS!

1. Just buy it direct from Tesla. 4 year warranty.
2. No issues at all. Tesla even sells a pedestal for it if you wanted a nice looking install. They have them outside at like all their service centers.
3. Garage installs are usually cheaper as a lot of people have their panel box in the garage (so less wire, easier install, etc) but neither is “better”. Up to you.
4. I assume you’re going to close the garage door on top of the cable, which I wouldn’t recommend. If you’re just leaving the garage door cracked and having the cable lie on the ground freely, then that is no problem.

 

[R2D2TOO]

1. Just buy it direct from Tesla. 4 year warranty.
2. No issues at all. Tesla even sells a pedestal for it if you wanted a nice looking install. They have them outside at like all their service centers.
3. Garage installs are usually cheaper as a lot of people have their panel box in the garage (so less wire, easier install, etc) but neither is “better”. Up to you.
4. I assume you’re going to close the garage door on top of the cable, which I wouldn’t recommend. If you’re just leaving the garage door cracked and having the cable lie on the ground freely, then that is no problem.

Great info - exactly what I needed, thank you.

What do folks recommend for "on the road" as far as adapters or plug in connectors? Anything I should carry with me?

 

[Jeremy3292]

Great info - exactly what I needed, thank you.

What do folks recommend for "on the road" as far as adapters or plug in connectors? Anything I should carry with me?

You can buy the Tesla mobile charger too. I have both and keep the mobile charger in the trunk when on the road, but it’s not entirely necessary unless you expect to find yourself in a pinch somewhere or are charging at someone’s house bc they have an outlet or something. Or if you’re going camping - campsites have RV plugs (14-50). Not everyone buys one though bc they use superchargers. I use it when I’m at my parents house bc I installed a NEMA 6-20 outlet there and Tesla has all the various different outlet adapters for sale - no other OEM sells all those different outlet adapter types that I’ve seen.

 

[tivoboy]

You can buy the Tesla mobile charger too. I have both and keep the mobile charger in the trunk when on the road, but it’s not entirely necessary unless you expect to find yourself in a pinch somewhere or are charging at someone’s house bc they have an outlet or something. Or if you’re going camping - campsites have RV plugs (14-50). Not everyone buys one though bc they use superchargers. I use it when I’m at my parents house bc I installed a NEMA 6-20 outlet there and Tesla has all the various different outlet adapters for sale - no other OEM sells all those different outlet adapter types that I’ve seen.

Just make sure you only buy the Tesla GEN 3 mobile connector. The all black one. Earlier gen 1 and 2 won’t work for non Tesla nacs EV cars.

 

[Toytruckmike]

We've used a Tesla charger since 2022 (Model 3) and it has been problem free, have a sister that bought a Lyriq and she has charged on it when it town, and bought the new Tesla charger for her home with the dual plug thingy and has been happy with it.
T.

 

[Utah-Jay]

Newbie here so be easy on me

I am seeing on the Tesla site a Wall Connector and a Universal Wall Connector

The “universal” ($570) seems to be for Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles while the “wall connector” ($485)is for Tesla vehicles.

I do not want to order the wrong one, so help please

Thanks

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