Report: NACS adapters will stop being free for new Rivian purchases starting later this month - per RivianTrackr

[Donald Stanfield]

I doubt Tesla gave them any adapters for free and I also doubt they will switch to NACs mid-refresh.

The plan was always to switch to NACS in 2025.

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[vandy1981]

The plan was always to switch to NACS in 2025.

I wouldn't hold your breath on that promise.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I wouldn't hold your breath on that promise.

It's not an option for Rivian; they signed a contract with Tesla, just like every other manufacturer granted access to Superchargers. Converting in 2025 was part of the agreement, it's not optional.

 

[Roads76]

So, Tesla only gave them so many free ones, eh? Or does this mean Rivian is now shifting production to NACS cars? Or both?

They are trying desperately to get to positive gross profit on each vehicle. I would imagine it's tight and they are scraping everywhere to reach that. This was my thought initially.

 

[TexasBob]

I wouldn't hold your breath on that promise.

I believe that the NACS receptacle is less expensive than CCS (smaller, fewer wires, etc.). Rivian will switch over to save money as soon as feasible. They get the double cost savings bump of lower cost receptacle and no need for adapters. I bet all-in more than $200 a vehicle.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I doubt Tesla gave them any adapters for free and I also doubt they will switch to NACs mid-refresh.

In your eyes has Rivian’s lied about everything they said they’d do? Internally, known dates may slip—that’s just reality of doing business. Externally, they never promise a specific date. What’s communicated is that they WILL switch in 2025. The rest is down to supplier’s ability to deliver stock, and process of flowing those into the assembly lines. I personally don’t think there will be production changes this early in the year. Most charging networks are still CCS1, including Rivian’s own. And Rivian isn’t selling the reverse adapter yet. They are simply shifting from free NACS adapter, as it was never promised as standard equipment but a favor to customers—for the time being (which many are clearly mistaken on and regularly give Rivian grief about). Imagine a family member giving you grief about a well meaning gift you gave them. It wouldn't surprise me if high percentage of CS chats/calls are from people demanding "where is my adapter?!" Plus, whatever [government or tax deductions] funding the free program is probably about to run dry.

 

[vandy1981]

I bet all-in more than $200 a vehicle.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. NACS requires a contactor and a controller to switch from AC to DC since there are a single set of transmission pins. It's not a matter of just switching external ports. Switching hardware and software like this is never cheap.

I know they are promising to switch R1 to NACS in 2025 but I think they would be better off waiting for the next big refresh to mitigate the Osborne effect.

 

[dminkster]

Bad move imo. Probably cost the $40. Sell a car you can’t fill up. Wtf

Kinda like Tesla having you buy a charger. They don’t come with chargers. Rivian at least still gives you the charger.

 

[Shmoe]

So, Tesla only gave them so many free ones, eh? Or does this mean Rivian is now shifting production to NACS cars? Or both?

Definitely thinking its this.

 

[cevans]

I've been screaming that they should do this (all over the forums too, sorry everyone) for months. A+

While I like the transition to NACS we're certainly in the middle of the s-show. Doesn't matter what port your EV has you need an adapter. We're going to have CCS chargers for a decade at least.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. NACS requires a contactor and a controller to switch from AC to DC since there are a single set of transmission pins. It's not a matter of just switching external ports. Switching hardware and software like this is never cheap.

I know they are promising to switch R1 to NACS in 2025 but I think they would be better off waiting for the next big refresh to mitigate the Osborne effect.

I'm pretty sure the design/engineering work is already done. Plans to switch was made public while refresh engineering was well underway. It's a matter of negotiating with suppliers, securing contract, parts ramp, delivery and insertion into the assembly lines.

No rule exists saying end date of the free adapter program has to be the same date as switch to NACS. Not sure why some are making that assumption. IMO, the switch to NACS likely won't come until towards end of this year; i.e. closer to start of R2 production than after.

And it's not a promise. It's a projection and expression of intent. They don't owe us anything we haven't paid for—too many people make this semantic mistake.

 

[gregeast]

I'd say we're somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd level of adapter hell (not an exclusive to Rivian statement). Dante would be proud.

 

[mkhuffman]

Well, if they are adding NACS to the R1 this year, I am super excited. Native SC charging is a huge plus for me. Yes, I will need an adapter to charge at home or at EA. I don't care. The SC network is worth it. My list of bad experiences at EA is pretty long.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Well, if they are adding NACS to the R1 this year, I am super excited. Native SC charging is a huge plus for me. Yes, I will need an adapter to charge at home or at EA. I don't care. The SC network is worth it. My list of bad experiences at EA is pretty long.

It's a plus but also shouldn't be a hinderance for anyone looking to buy/lease. Coast-to-coast, majority of the infrastructure will remain on CCS1. And rate of conversion to NACS will depend on funding (and politics). We are at the start of a transitional period. It will be a world of adapters and mixed charging interfaces for many years to come. To-date the number of updated EA sites is probably less than 1% of their entire network, roughly a year after they announced intentions to switch.

 

[Southern R1S]

I agree it probably doesn’t cost them very much but you can definitely “fill it up” without the need for an NACS adapter. Is it a nice-to-have? Absolutely. But a must have? No.

I've used my NACS adapter a total of zero (0) times in the roughly ~6 months since it shipped to me.

Sucks for the customer but Rivian needs to get costs under control. The adapter enables Tesla charging and customers can use their $750 referral credit to purchase one. Everyone who buys a Rivian (unless a custom order) should use a referral code and get $750 towards accessories to include NACS adapter.

Also when they switch over to NACS ports one will need a different adapter to use CCS1 chargers.

100% correct and a lot of people seem to miss that second point -- I don't know a single Tesla owner who hasn't also purchased a CCS adapter (out of their own pockets) & the cost / need to buy the CCS adapter doesn't appear to have deterred Tesla sales (just as I would expect it to have no impact on Rivian sales).

Until charging infrastructure matures and becomes more standardized, we're all going to be carrying (and, in many cases, buying) adapters for the foreseeable future. If spending $200 on an adapter that sits in the frunk deters anyone from buying a Rivian (or any other EV for that matter), they probably weren't going to be happy in an EV long term anyways.

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