Tesla engineer urges Rivian to move charge port location on R2, R3, R3X for Supercharger access

[White Shadow]

No, but I've seen Family Vacation so I know what you mean.

Here you go...

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[White Shadow]

EV manufacturers should have the design freedom to put the charge ports wherever they feel is right for their design and customers. Charging stalls that service multiple brands need to be able to accommodate any EV that pulls up. Tesla knows this hence the taller V4 hardware with longer cables.

True, for the most part. The issue here is that infrastructure already exists (and a lot of it) that Tesla used for their own vehicles, so was designed for a left side rear charging port. It's going to be expensive to make changes to existing infrastructure, so for the time being, charge ports in the "wrong" location for Tesla superchargers are going to be an issue. This will all work out in time though because I'm quite sure that a combination of longer cables and more central dispensers will become common. It's going to take a long time to get there though.

 

[emoore]

"open" refers to the NACS standard. Tesla paid to build out the Supercharger network over a decade - no one is forced to use it. However, putting in some ground rules for use make sense in order to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone - including Tesla owners (of which there are millions as compared to tens of thousands of Rivian owners).

Now it looks like Tesla will be offering a NACS to NACS extension cable which clears the issue, but I'd expect slower charging speeds with a non-actively cooled extension cable. Maybe it doesn't matter with R2 and R3 which will probably have smaller packs and lower peak charging speeds.

Haven’t heard Tesla is going to make extension cables. Would be cool if they did.

Nevermind I just saw the thread. Wonder how much it will cost.

 

[carsly]

Haven’t heard Tesla is going to make extension cables. Would be cool if they did.

Nevermind I just saw the thread. Wonder how much it will cost.

https://www.tesla.com/support/supercharging-other-evs#cable

"We are working on an NACS to NACS extension cable, which will be available for purchase in the future."

 

[fdon1]

With the cars allowed on the network today, FORD and upcoming for R1 models, don't they already take up 2 spaces? So what exactly is being done with new models to Rivian's customers, as he put it?

Almost every ZEV on roads today have charge ports up front. I guess their network, their design rules?

Not a fan of that tweet

 

[Stickboy46]

"open" refers to the NACS standard. Tesla paid to build out the Supercharger network over a decade - no one is forced to use it. However, putting in some ground rules for use make sense in order to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone - including Tesla owners (of which there are millions as compared to tens of thousands of Rivian owners).

Now it looks like Tesla will be offering a NACS to NACS extension cable which clears the issue, but I'd expect slower charging speeds with a non-actively cooled extension cable. Maybe it doesn't matter with R2 and R3 which will probably have smaller packs and lower peak charging speeds.

Tesla accepted government money to expand charging .. that money came with requirements. One being they have to accommodate other vehicles.

Yet again, this is a TESLA problem not a every other car manufacturer problem. Tesla's network is no longer a "private" network. If they don't want to accommodate other vehicles, they can give back the government money they accepted. Tesla is the one that needs to invest to update their stations .. not everyone else.

 

[iamnid]

That location has been bugging me since yesterday.

Personally my R1S and Volt have front left. Easy access for driver and my garage setup is optimized for that.

I understand that rear ones allow less wiring inside the vehicle (cheaper) but I hate backing into parking spots. Why do truck drivers appear to prefer that? It beats me.
What if you have something attached to your tow fitting?
Does rear location result in higher installation costs for home owners?

R2 and R3 location still doesn’t match with Tesla stations.

Why worry about the few R1 owners when location should be optimized for the 100,000s of future owners?

Truck drivers do this because it can be easier to get into a parking spot. It's similar to why forklifts steer with the rear wheels. You have to swing out pretty far in the opposite direction in a long truck to make it into a parking spot. If you drive past the spot and then back in, you can turn sharper to get into the spot. That said, I don't know why some people in cars insist on parking like this.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Haven’t heard Tesla is going to make extension cables. Would be cool if they did.

Nevermind I just saw the thread. Wonder how much it will cost.

I can't wait to upset people at a supercharger because I don't have the extension cable that Tesla is probably going to charge an arm and leg for.

 

[iamnid]

I was ready this day.

Agreed. This is the same setup I have but with a Tesla Wall Connector. The cords on these chargers are so long that it doesn't really make any sense to locate the charge port for home charging. I think it DOES make sense to take into account public chargers though. Personally, I'll feel like an ass taking 2 charging stalls at a Supercharger though. Like it or not, most DC fast chargers are Superchargers and they have the majority of EVs on the road. I think it only makes sense to conform to the port placement, at least until V4 superchargers with the longer cords are more prevalent.

 

[DuoRivians]

Am I only the one who now looks forward to parking in the “wrong” spot even more?

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Tesla: NACS is a universal standard! It's for everyone now!

Also Tesla: You should redesign your vehicles to work with our standard, thanks.

 

[emoore]

Tesla: NACS is a universal standard! It's for everyone now!

Also Tesla: You should redesign your vehicles to work with our standard, thanks.

And if you don't then your customers can buy an expensive NACS extension cable. But the superchargers are available to everyone now!

 

[moosehead]

Do folks know there is a reverse gear?

 

[White Shadow]

Am I only the one who now looks forward to parking in the “wrong” spot even more?

That's a problem. Honestly, that attitude sucks.

 

[dleepnw]

Tesla could actually put longer cords in like they've said they are going to.

exactly.

Rivian put the location there to save on costs. at this point they should be hyper focused on that.

and do we really think Tesla is doing this to "help" Rivian? sure, just like Elon saying repeatedly Rivian is on the path to bankruptcy. if they really wanted to give advice, Elon and this guy could have contacted Rivian directly instead of putting it out in public. thanks but no thanks.

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