DC Fast Charging vs. Charging to 100%

[Jnz]

We make a 220 trip into the mountains a lot. We usually only charge to 70% for day to day driving, but when we go up to the cabin, we’ll either need to charge to 100% before the trip to make it (we have the 20” AT tires) or will need to stop at a DC Fast Charger on the way. Both have their drawbacks in terms of long term health of the battery. Does anyone know if one is worse than the other?

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[nukem384]

I'm assuming you have level 2 charging at the cabin to refill? If that's the case, charge it to 100% so you can make it and don't worry about it. Best strategy though is to departure charge to 100% right before you're ready to leave. That way the car doesn't sit at 100% for very long. This is where it's not all that good for the battery, if the car is sitting at 100% for many hours because those electrons can't move.

 

[WSea]

I'm assuming you have level 2 charging at the cabin to refill? If that's the case, charge it to 100% so you can make it and don't worry about it. Best strategy though is to departure charge to 100% right before you're ready to leave. That way the car doesn't sit at 100% for very long. This is where it's not all that good for the battery, if the car is sitting at 100% for many hours because those electrons can't move.

I do the same. And, your battery will be warmer so the first 30 miles will be better efficiency vs. starting out with cold battery. Just be aware that regen braking will be limited.
The tricky part is the timing. I charge to 85% the day before departure. Then, using the app, change the charge to 100% about 3 hours prior to departure. My L2 is set to 32a.

 

[Jnz]

Thanks! Yes, I have L2 at both ends of the trip - a 14-50 outlet at the cabin and the Rivian wall charger at home. That sounds like a good strategy.

 

[domoplaytime]

but when we go up to the cabin, we’ll either need to charge to 100% before the trip to make it

The loss of regen and one-pedal driving can be surprising, so beware. I practiced braking in neutral recently and was shocked at how much worse my brakes are at present compared to regen. See this thread:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/discussion-bed-your-brakes-after-delivery.10643/

 

[MoreTrout]

Some input on it here when I posed the question a few months ago.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ats-better-for-long-term-battery-health.7989/

 

[COdogman]

Make sure you take your brakes out for a night on the town first.

 

[nukem384]

I do the same. And, your battery will be warmer so the first 30 miles will be better efficiency vs. starting out with cold battery. Just be aware that regen braking will be limited.
The tricky part is the timing. I charge to 85% the day before departure. Then, using the app, change the charge to 100% about 3 hours prior to departure. My L2 is set to 32a.

Sounds like you have to departure charge manually? I don't have our R1S yet, so I don't know everything about the app. I'm sure they will add this like Tesla in the future. That as well as the feature that brakes for you when you have regen limited to smooth it out. Pretty nice feature and I love using that one.

 

[fastwheels]

We make a 220 trip into the mountains a lot. We usually only charge to 70% for day to day driving, but when we go up to the cabin, we’ll either need to charge to 100% before the trip to make it (we have the 20” AT tires) or will need to stop at a DC Fast Charger on the way. Both have their drawbacks in terms of long term health of the battery. Does anyone know if one is worse than the other?

I asked Rivian about this a few months ago for a 240 mile trip I take often. They recommended I charge to 100% at home prior to departure.

 

[SDRTAZ]

We make a 220 trip into the mountains a lot. We usually only charge to 70% for day to day driving, but when we go up to the cabin, we’ll either need to charge to 100% before the trip to make it (we have the 20” AT tires) or will need to stop at a DC Fast Charger on the way. Both have their drawbacks in terms of long term health of the battery. Does anyone know if one is worse than the other?

Lots of useful replies already.
Generally speaking, L2 charging is always preferred vs DCFC. Possible exception being 80A L2 vs slow L3 like 25-50 kW machines (but those aren't as common these days).

Like others have said, charging to 100% displayed via L2 is just fine provided you don't let it sit like that for several days. Try and drive it the following day to run the battery down a little bit.

The enemy of EVs (and pretty much every vehicle ever made) is heat. Try and reduce or minimize waste heat when possible. However, try not to overthink it too much. The vehicle should do a pretty good job managing waste heat in the background so you can just enjoy your drive. At least this has been the case in my previous EVs that I have owned. I presume the Rivian is the same but have not verified that yet.

 

[Jnz]

Super helpful replies! Thanks all!

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