Why I'm Cancelling My Rivian R1S Order: Truth About Charging Networks
In this video, I share my decision to cancel my Rivian R1S order due to concerns about the availability and reliability of non-Tesla charging networks. While I love the Rivian R1S itself, I don't want to deal with the hassle of unreliable charging options on long trips. As a disclaimer, I am a Tesla owner and on my second Tesla which is my daily driver.
Key Points from the Video:
I recently rented a Mercedes EQS and loved the electric driving experience, but encountered difficulties finding working charging stations outside of the Tesla Supercharger network.
As a Tesla owner, The Tesla Supercharger network is "pretty much perfect" and I have never encountered a broken or disrupted charging station.
I encountered a Rivian owner at the charging station who also expressed frustration with the lack of reliable charging options.
I plan to purchase a Rivian in the future when the infrastructure is better and avoid relying on non-Tesla public charging networks for long trips.
My Personal Experience
I recently had the opportunity to rent a Mercedes EQS for a weekend getaway. I was blown away by the electric driving experience and the overall quality of the car. However, I quickly encountered a major issue: finding working charging stations outside of the Tesla Supercharger network.
Speaking of the Tesla Supercharging Network, Rivian’s as well as other electric cars will have access to these in the future, however there is still several problems with the charing network, even with these added opportunities to charge.
Many Tesla chargers are already inundated with Tesla’s. So opening to all other electric cars will make wait times even longer.
Possibility Elon Musk will keep his customers happy, and only open one or two charging ports per location to non-Tesla vehicles (as a Tesla owner, I hope this is the case).
There are no or limited Tesla Superchargers near where Rivian’s shine, aka The Colorado Rockies, the Utah desert, etc.
The Mercedes EQE was a pleasure to drive. Very impressed!
On our trip, we encountered several Electrify America stations that were either broken, Level 1 charging, or had a significant line waiting to charge. This caused us significant delays and frustration. In contrast, I’ve never had any problems finding abundant working Tesla Supercharger stations when in my Tesla.
An Electrify America station that had 50% of it’s chargers out of order.
The Importance of a Reliable Charging Network
For me, the lack of a reliable non-Tesla charging network is a deal-breaker for owning an electric vehicle at this moment in time. I don't want to be constantly worried about finding a place to charge my car or enduring significant charging times especially on long trips.
I understand that the non-Tesla charging network is still under development, but it needs to improve significantly before I can consider buying an electric vehicle that relies on it.
The Future of Electric Vehicles
I believe that electric vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation. However, the lack of a reliable charging network is a major obstacle to their widespread adoption.
I am hopeful that the charging infrastructure will improve in the coming years, making electric vehicles a more viable option for everyone, as once you drive an electric car such as a Tesla or a Rivian, you won’t want to go back to pistons firing ever again.
I was getting the Ocean Coast interior in my Rivian R1S, and really bummed I’m cancelling!
In Conclusion
I am disappointed to be cancelling my Rivian R1S order, but I believe it is the right decision for me at this time. I am excited about the future of electric vehicles and I look forward to the day when I can own one without having to worry about finding a place to charge it.
What are your thoughts on the state of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Additional Notes
This blog article is based on the video "Why I'm Cancelling My Rivian R1S Order: Truth About Charging Networks".
I encourage you to watch the video for more information about my experience.
I would also like to add that I am not affiliated with any particular car company. My opinions are based on my own personal experiences.
I hope this blog article has been informative. Please let me know if you have any questions.
