I Drove 180,000 Miles in a Tesla Model 3 Without Home Charging, Now I’m Eyeing Down a Rivian R1T

This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a fascinating post by Jeffrey Castro-Norwood. Jeffrey has driven over 180,000 miles in his 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD without the convenience of home charging. Instead, he has relied solely on workplace and public charging stations. Now, he’s considering his next EV, and while the Rivian R1T is at the top of his list, he has a few concerns about price, ride quality, and battery longevity.

"I have been a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD owner since 2018 and have driven more than 180,000 miles. Since I live in an old schoolhouse condo, I do not have home charging and rely on workplace and public Level 2 and DC fast charging. For my next car, I am considering a non-Tesla EV, with many more options now available. My top choices include the Rivian R1T, Chevy Blazer EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6. My must-haves are a higher seating position, all-wheel drive, around 300 miles of range, and the ability to accept a 250+ kW charge rate. The Rivian R1T is my top choice, but it is also the most expensive, so I am considering a one- or two-year-old model. What model year does Gen 2 start? How is the battery degradation? My Tesla originally had a 100% charge range of 314 miles, which has now dropped to 257 miles, an 18% loss over six years. How does the Rivian R1T’s ride compare to the Model 3? What factors should I consider when making the switch? And most importantly, is it worth the price? Since I live in the Boston area, I am aware of the nearby service center," Jeffrey wrote.

Why Jeffrey is Considering a Rivian R1T

Jeffrey’s experience highlights a key consideration for many EV owners: How practical is an EV without home charging? His Model 3 has served him well for six years, but now, with the rise of new EV options, he wants something with a higher ride height and similar long-distance capabilities.

The Rivian R1T meets many of his criteria, offering a premium, adventure-focused electric truck experience. It boasts an EPA-estimated range of over 300 miles with the Large Pack, has AWD as standard, and can accept up to 220 kW in fast charging, though not quite the 250 kW Jeffrey is used to from Tesla’s Supercharger network. However, as Jeffrey noted, the R1T is expensive, even on the used market.

Some Rivian R1T owners have raised concerns about autonomous driving, which could be a factor for Jeffrey to consider.

There have also been reports of the R1T rebooting while merging on the highway, which is something prospective buyers should be aware of.

What Other EV Owners Had to Say

Jeffrey’s post attracted a lot of insightful responses from fellow EV owners who have made similar transitions.

Christine shared her experience of switching from a Tesla Model X to a Rivian R1S, Rivian's SUV sibling to the R1T. "I just traded my Model X for a Rivian R1S and absolutely love it. It is expensive, so we decided to lease, believing that in three years (fingers crossed), there will be many more options available, making leasing the right choice. Rivian is offering great incentives, including lease deals, and they even beat CarMax on my Model X trade-in. Overall, I am very happy with the entire process. It’s only day two, and I’m already off to go adventure."

Rebecca chimed in about her purchase of a used R1T, proving that good deals can be found with patience: "In December, we bought a 2022 Gen 1 Rivian R1T for $56K plus $6K in taxes and fees, with only 20,000 miles, an absolute steal. I’ve seen many people trying to sell similar models for $10K more, even with higher mileage, proving that it’s still an expensive used vehicle. But we love it! The early models come with higher specs, so we got more than we bargained for, including a large-pack battery. In fact, I think 2022 models are often worth more than 2023’s."

Some have even found great deals on Rivian R1Ts through auctions, highlighting the growing used market for these trucks.

Harvey brought up an important technical point about charging speed: "Max charge rate isn’t as important as a good charge curve. Hitting 250 kW when the state of charge (SOC) is below 20% and then tapering off quickly isn’t as useful as maintaining 150 kW consistently up to 80%. Efficiency also plays a big role, a Model 3 getting 4 miles per kWh requires less energy than an R1T, which gets around 2.4 miles per kWh."

Some R1T owners have made significant upgrades to their trucks, including off-grid setups with solar panels and Starlink internet.

My Opinion

Having followed the EV space closely and driven multiple electric models myself, I completely understand Jeffrey’s dilemma. The Tesla Model 3 is an incredibly efficient car with a robust charging network, making it one of the easiest EVs to live with, even without home charging. However, I can see why he wants a change. The R1T, while not as efficient, offers a completely different experience. The higher seating position, rugged design, and adventure-ready features make it one of the most exciting EVs on the market. But is it worth it? That depends. If Jeffrey is willing to adjust to a slightly less convenient charging experience and accept the higher price, the R1T could be the perfect next step.

Some Tesla owners who switched to the R1T have noted superior build quality, making the switch even more appealing.

Moral Lesson: Know Your Use Case Before Switching EVs

Jeffrey’s dilemma is one that many EV owners will face in the coming years. Switching from one EV to another is about more than just specs, it's about lifestyle fit, charging access, cost considerations, and long-term usability.

What do you think? Would you switch from a Tesla Model 3 to a Rivian R1T, or would you consider another EV? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.