I Hit Charging Issues on My Rivian while on a Road Trip, my Tesla Charger died, and ChargePoint was Slow, But There’s a Solution

This evening, while strolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook, I came across a post by Erika Mularski, who was on a road trip with her son for spring break when she ran into frustrating charging issues. She explained her predicament in a post that resonated with many Rivian owners, "Currently on a road trip for my son’s spring break and hit a big charging issue. The Tesla charger I was counting on didn’t work, and the ChargePoint station we found was crawling at a ridiculously slow speed. I called Rivian support, did a hard reset, and was ultimately told that my vehicle might need service, which obviously isn’t an option in the middle of a road trip. Normally, I charge at home with zero issues, but I still have 2.5 hours to go, and I’m traveling with three restless teenagers. Any suggestions?"

Her situation underscores the challenges Rivian owners still face when navigating a non-Tesla charging network and the occasional compatibility or reliability issues at public chargers. It also highlights an important lesson for EV road trippers, always have a backup plan.

Understanding the Tesla Charger Compatibility Issue

One of the main challenges Erika faced was an unexpected failure of the Tesla charger she had planned to use. Tesla has been gradually opening its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs, including Rivians, but not all chargers are guaranteed to work. As Sandy pointed out in the comments: "Do you mean the Tesla charger in South Boston, VA? That one appears greyed out for Rivians in ABRP, which may indicate it’s not compatible. Tesla’s website might list a charger as open to other brands, but it’s always best to verify that your Rivian can actually use that specific charger."

This is a crucial reminder, just because a Tesla Supercharger is listed as available to non-Teslas doesn’t mean every station or stall will work. Before heading out, it’s wise to double-check compatibility using third-party apps like A Better Route Planner (ABRP) or PlugShare.

For those considering making the switch to a Rivian but worried about charging, you might find it helpful to read this article on transitioning from a Tesla to a Rivian.

The Slow ChargePoint Station Problem

After the Tesla charger didn’t work, Erika turned to a ChargePoint station, which delivered a frustratingly slow charge. Amanda shared a similar experience in the comments: "Some Tesla chargers are not configured to work with Rivian vehicles, like the one in my town. A 50 kWh charge isn’t terrible, we once had to charge for four hours on a Level 2 station in a random parking lot just to get enough range to reach the next fast charger 60 miles away."

Charging speed varies significantly across networks, with ChargePoint often offering a mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers. However, even some DC fast chargers may have limitations based on grid demand or station maintenance. It’s always best to check real-time reviews on PlugShare to ensure a station is delivering the advertised charging speed before counting on it.

If you’re planning a long trip with a Rivian and want to ensure you can rely on Tesla chargers, check out this article detailing a 1,300-mile Rivian road trip using all Tesla chargers.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

Harvey chimed in with a practical tip: "Did you try more than one Tesla stall at that location? The Tesla app shows which stalls, if any, are offline, but sometimes a broken stall won’t be flagged. I’ve had to move a couple of times to find a working one, as some may appear functional but deliver power at a reduced rate. Switching to another stall can help with this issue. If you’re having trouble at a charger, the Tesla app also allows you to report it so they can fix it."

This is excellent advice. If a charger appears dead or isn’t delivering power, switching stalls can sometimes resolve the issue. Additionally, it’s helpful to report malfunctioning chargers to Tesla, ChargePoint, or Rivian’s customer service so that they can investigate and potentially resolve the problem for future travelers.

For those worried about the reliability of Rivian’s charging and service infrastructure, this story about a brand-new R1S that broke down hours after purchase might be an eye-opener.

My Opinion

From my perspective, Erika’s experience highlights an ongoing challenge for EV adoption, charging reliability is still a major hurdle, even as more automakers expand into the space. While Tesla’s charging network remains the gold standard, non-Tesla EV drivers are still dealing with inconsistent charger access, slow speeds, and compatibility issues.

This is exactly why automakers like Rivian, Ford, and GM need to double down on improving infrastructure partnerships and making sure their vehicles can seamlessly integrate with third-party chargers. If the transition to electric is truly going to be mainstream, we need a universal standard that ensures all chargers work efficiently across brands. I also believe that EV owners must take a proactive approach, planning ahead, checking for charger availability, and having a contingency plan.

At the same time, I hope that charger networks like ChargePoint, Electrify America, and even Tesla continue working to improve their services, offering better maintenance, real-time status updates, and clearer compatibility guidelines.

The Moral Lesson: Always Have a Backup Plan

The biggest takeaway from Erika’s experience is the importance of planning ahead when road-tripping with an EV. Here are some key strategies to avoid similar issues:

1. Check Charger Compatibility Before You Rely on It: Use PlugShare or ABRP to confirm a charger works with your vehicle.
2. Have Multiple Charging Options: Always identify a secondary charger near your planned stops.
3. Consider Charging Earlier Than Needed: Avoid running the battery too low before stopping to charge, in case you need to find an alternative.
4. Keep a Portable Charging Option: A travel-friendly Level 2 charger or Rivian’s portable charger can be a lifesaver in emergencies.

Your Turn: Share Your Experience

1. Have you ever encountered a non-working charger on a road trip? How did you handle it?
2. What’s your backup plan for long trips in your EV? Share your best tips in the comments below!

Let’s keep this discussion going, your experiences can help other EV owners plan better and avoid the same headaches on their next journey.

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.