Photo: @bbydrvr, @ryanhuber via X
At the end of February, Tesla opened the Supercharger network to Ford EVs, the first to gain access as part of the NACS deal. Rivian is now the second carmaker to benefit after a recent software update paved the way for the Tesla Supercharger support in the Navigation app.
Ford was the first carmaker to adopt Tesla's NACS plug in May 2023, opening a path that later all major EV makers followed. Rivian was among the first to pledge allegiance to the NACS standard and has become the second (after Ford) to offer its owners access to Tesla's Supercharger network. Not only that, but the Superchargers are now appearing in the Rivian app and the navigation system. This means that planning a road trip will take into account charge stops at the Supercharger stations, as required.
Tesla opened its chargers to third-party EVs in North America early last year when it fitted selected chargers with a special adapter called Magic Dock. In order to charge their EVs at a Supercharger station, Rivian owners had to install the Tesla app, make an account, and pay through the app. Thanks to the NACS deal, EV makers can use Tesla stations without installing its app or creating an account. It's still advisable to do it, though, as Tesla subscribers get preferential tariffs.
Over the weekend, some Rivian owners discovered they could charge their EVs at Tesla Superchargers using a third-party adapter. They had to use the Tesla app and decoy their car as a Ford to start charging. However, Tesla quickly closed the loop, and subsequent attempts resulted in the dreaded "unauthorized vehicle" warning. It was disappointing, but thankfully, the situation didn't last very long. On Sunday night, Rivian got access to Tesla Superchargers, this time for real.
This means that Tesla chargers are now listed in the Rivian app and the navigation system, and you can add them to your trip as charge stops. Even better, Rivian owners can use plug & charge to pay for charging without thinking about anything else. In that case, you pay the standard tariffs using the default payment method stored in the Rivian account. However, as with Ford owners, you can pay up to 25% less if you are a Tesla subscriber and initiate the charging via the Tesla app.
Rivian rolled out the Supercharger support to its customer vehicles on March 11, with the 2024.07.02. The update was rushed through the validation process, with the internal testing starting only two days prior, on March 9. Normally, testing takes about a week before rolling out to customer vehicles. This signals that Rivian was in a hurry to have this update installed. The same update improved the navigation app with faster rerouting guidance, improved route selection, and the ability to add up to 10 stops during route planning.
Tesla opened its chargers to third-party EVs in North America early last year when it fitted selected chargers with a special adapter called Magic Dock. In order to charge their EVs at a Supercharger station, Rivian owners had to install the Tesla app, make an account, and pay through the app. Thanks to the NACS deal, EV makers can use Tesla stations without installing its app or creating an account. It's still advisable to do it, though, as Tesla subscribers get preferential tariffs.
Over the weekend, some Rivian owners discovered they could charge their EVs at Tesla Superchargers using a third-party adapter. They had to use the Tesla app and decoy their car as a Ford to start charging. However, Tesla quickly closed the loop, and subsequent attempts resulted in the dreaded "unauthorized vehicle" warning. It was disappointing, but thankfully, the situation didn't last very long. On Sunday night, Rivian got access to Tesla Superchargers, this time for real.
This means that Tesla chargers are now listed in the Rivian app and the navigation system, and you can add them to your trip as charge stops. Even better, Rivian owners can use plug & charge to pay for charging without thinking about anything else. In that case, you pay the standard tariffs using the default payment method stored in the Rivian account. However, as with Ford owners, you can pay up to 25% less if you are a Tesla subscriber and initiate the charging via the Tesla app.
Rivian rolled out the Supercharger support to its customer vehicles on March 11, with the 2024.07.02. The update was rushed through the validation process, with the internal testing starting only two days prior, on March 9. Normally, testing takes about a week before rolling out to customer vehicles. This signals that Rivian was in a hurry to have this update installed. The same update improved the navigation app with faster rerouting guidance, improved route selection, and the ability to add up to 10 stops during route planning.
Decent speed. Very decent. pic.twitter.com/mNba8KgJ01
— @ryanhuber (@ryanhuber) March 18, 2024
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