EVERYTHING
p>According to Insideevs, independent testing of the Rivian R2 has demonstrated that the vehicle may outperform its official marketing figures regarding fast-charging capabilities. The evaluation was conducted by Tom Moloughney of the State of Charge YouTube channel, who sought to verify how the highly anticipated SUV handles high-speed charging during typical road-trip scenarios.
Charging performance and peak power
The test focused on the 10% to 80% battery capacity window, which is widely regarded as the most relevant metric for long-distance travel. The R2 demonstrated rapid acceleration in its charging curve, reaching a peak of 226 kilowatts (kW) at just 31% state of charge. From that point, the power began to taper as the battery filled.
Key milestones recorded during the test included:
- Reached 45% capacity in 10 minutes while pulling 171 kW.
- Hit 60% capacity after approximately 15 minutes at a rate of 135 kW.
- Achieved 70% capacity five minutes later at 116 kW.
- Reached the 80% target in a total of 26 minutes and 51 seconds at 68 kW.
These results mean the R2 completed the cycle roughly two minutes faster than Rivian's advertised 29-minute claim. Moloughney noted that while these speeds are respectable, they do not represent a "top-of-class" characteristic compared to dedicated 800-volt architectures like those found in some Hyundai models.
Technical requirements for maximum speed
To achieve these peak figures, the test highlighted the importance of high-amperage infrastructure. The R2 is capable of accepting over 600 amps, but many standard chargers cannot provide this level of output. Moloughney discovered that using a CCS connector on certain units—rather than the native NACS plug—was necessary to access the highest available current from specific hardware like the ABB A400.
The results suggest that while the R2 is a capable road tripper, owners must be diligent about selecting high-amperage stations to see the best performance. The vehicle adds roughly 100 miles of range every 11 minutes during these high-speed sessions, providing a reliable buffer for highway travel.