I Picked Up a 2025 Rivian R1S Tri This Weekend and Looking Into the Best Wall Charger Option and How Regen Braking Functions

This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a post by Christian Peehler, who is picking up a 2025 Rivian R1S Tri this weekend. He has some important questions about the best wall charger option and how regenerative braking works on the vehicle.

Christian writes, "I'm picking up a 2025 Rivian R1S Tri this weekend and have two quick questions for those with more experience. First, regarding the Rivian Wall Charger, the general consensus seems to be that it is expensive and unreliable, so I plan to remove it from my order. Many recommend the Tesla Wall Charger, and since this vehicle should come with an adapter, I’m wondering if the standard $420 Tesla Wall Charger will work or if I need the universal version, which I thought only included different adapters. Second, I have a question about regenerative braking. My only prior experience with hybrid or EV braking was in a Volvo S60 T8 plug-in, which used fully blended braking in Drive, meaning no throttle resulted in coasting, similar to Neutral. I understand that the Rivian operates differently, but I’m curious, if Regen is set to Low and I press the brake pedal, does it blend in additional Regen before engaging the physical brakes, or does Low Regen simply reduce regenerative braking overall in favor of the disc brakes? I know Strong Regen is generally more efficient because it minimizes physical brake usage, but I had no trouble maximizing Regen in the Volvo using blended braking to exceed its rated 41-mile EV range. I’d appreciate any technical insights on whether the first portion of brake pedal travel still prioritizes Regen in Low mode or if I should just adapt to using Strong Regen instead.”

Choosing the Right Home Charger for the Rivian R1S

Christian’s first question addresses an important concern for many new Rivian owners: What is the best charging solution for home use? The official Rivian Wall Charger is often criticized for being expensive and somewhat unreliable. Because of this, many Rivian owners look for alternative charging options.

According to Eli Zilber, “The Rivian Wall Charger is overpriced and not of good quality, but any good charger will work, including the Tesla Wall Charger.” This suggests that owners have multiple viable alternatives, including the Tesla Wall Charger, which is well-regarded for its reliability and efficiency.

However, John Simon offers a critical clarification, stating, “You will not receive a Tesla adapter with your Rivian. Additionally, if you purchase an adapter, be aware that there are two different types: one for AC charging (the charger you will use at home) and one for fast DC charging. Tesla does sell a universal wall charger that works with the J1772 connector on the Rivian. You will also receive a portable charger with your R1S that can plug into a 14-50 outlet. I personally use mine to charge, and it works fine, though it is limited to 32 amps, I believe.”

Daniel Neitzke further adds, “The adapter you receive with your R1 is for fast charging/Level 3 charging and will not work for at-home charging.” This means that if Christian wants to use a Tesla Wall Charger, he will need to purchase the correct adapter separately. Alternatively, he could opt for a universal home charger that supports the J1772 connector without requiring any additional accessories.

Understanding Regenerative Braking in the Rivian R1S

Christian’s second question revolves around regenerative braking and how it interacts with the brake pedal. In hybrid and electric vehicles, regenerative braking helps recapture energy, which improves efficiency and extends driving range. However, different manufacturers implement regenerative braking in different ways.

Eli Zilber provides an important insight: “As for regenerative braking, Rivian does not have blended braking; it only offers one-pedal driving and separate braking using friction brakes. Regardless of whether Regen is set to Low or High, there is no blending between regenerative and friction braking.” This means that, unlike in Christian’s Volvo S60 T8, where the brake pedal seamlessly blended regenerative and friction braking, the Rivian keeps these two functions separate.

This clarification is significant because it affects driving habits. If Christian chooses Low Regen mode, the vehicle will rely more on traditional friction braking rather than regenerative braking, which could reduce efficiency. In contrast, Strong Regen mode allows the vehicle to maximize energy recovery and minimize wear on the physical brake components.

Many Rivian owners recommend using Strong Regen mode for a more seamless driving experience, as it enables one-pedal driving, allowing the vehicle to slow down simply by lifting off the accelerator.

Practical Takeaways for Rivian R1S Owners

From this discussion, a few key lessons emerge:

1. Choosing the Right Home Charger – The Tesla Wall Charger is a viable alternative to the Rivian Wall Charger, but Rivian owners will need to purchase the correct AC charging adapter separately.
2. Understanding Rivian’s Regenerative Braking – Unlike some other EVs and hybrids, the Rivian R1S does not feature blended braking. Instead, the brake pedal exclusively engages the friction brakes, while regenerative braking is controlled separately via accelerator input.
3. Maximizing Efficiency – Using Strong Regen mode can improve efficiency and reduce wear on the physical brakes, making it the preferred choice for many owners.

Exploring More About the Rivian R1S

For those interested in potential issues with the Rivian R1S, check out this article: I Just Got a Rivian R1S and Noticed a Clicking Sound, Suggesting a Potential Issue Other Owners Have Experienced Before.

For a detailed long-distance driving experience, read: Epic 2,929-Mile Road Trip in a Rivian R1S - Smooth Ride, Long Nights, and Why Flying Might Win Next.

New Rivian R1S owners might find this review insightful: I Just Picked Up My 2023 Quad-Motor Rivian R1S and Love It - If You're 5'1'' Like Me, You'll Want Running Boards.

Curious about the built-in air compressor? Check out: Heads Up: Rivian R1S Gen 2 Comes With a Travel Air Compressor—But Is It Even Usable?.

For those debating between an R1S and an R1T, read: I Drove an R1S Dual-Motor Max While My R1T Quad AWD Was in Service and Found Out I Prefer the SUV Over My Truck.

What Do You Think?

1. If you own a Rivian R1S, what home charging setup do you use, and would you recommend it to others?
2. Do you prefer Strong Regen or Low Regen in your EV, and why?

Please 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.