Do NACS Rivians work on non-NACS RAN?

[HaveBlue]

Early Teslas couldn't charge on CCS without the charge port computer getting swapped out. It's fully possible that a rivian could get a Tesla canbus compatible one as well.

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[CharonPDX]

I want to add that J3400 does not *require* chargers or vehicles to support the CCS protocol(s). That is an exemption for Tesla, so that the new specification is compatible with Tesla's existing legacy network and proprietary protocol. Technically J3400 only guarantees the physical connector. Or as Tesla itself put it: "(NACS is) a purely electrical and mechanical interface agnostic to use case and communication protocol" https://www.tesla.com/blog/opening-north-american-charging-standard

J3400 requires it. “NACS” doesn’t. Because NACS isn’t a standard. It’s a term Tesla invented for the physical plug.

J3400 standardized the plug with the signaling. Specifically under SAE 3400-202409: https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400_202409/

 

[CharonPDX]

Early Teslas couldn't charge on CCS without the charge port computer getting swapped out. It's fully possible that a rivian could get a Tesla canbus compatible one as well.

That would require Tesla be willing to license those boards, and do the back-end work to open all Superchatgers up. And it would add even more confusion. “These SC are open to all vehicles with the included adapter, these other ones open to NACS-native and/or adaptered vehicles on the approved company list, this third set open to some third party that have bought controller boards from us.”

It’s bad enough having two different classes of “open to non-Tesla.”

 

[cwardak]

I’m taking delivery of a 2026 Rivian with NACS in 2 weeks. This is probably a stupid newbie question, but will the NACS Rivian work on the Rivian adventure network on stalls that don’t yet have NACS if I use an adapter?

I’m getting my new 2026 in 2 weeks as well. Any the sales rep told me it will work with the adapter and that they are adding NACS connectors to there RAN chargers already.

 

[PeterSK]

But be aware that NACS Rivians will still not be able to charge at all Tesla Superchargers. Telsa has only opened about 2/3 of Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles, and most of the unusable 1/3 will never be opened to Rivians because those Tesla chargers use a proprietary Tesla charging protocol and don't/can't support the open protocol.

That is true as long as they remain v1/v2 superchargers, but I expect that over time Tesla will upgrade some of those stations to v4 and open them up. But I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting.

And in some locations like West Lebanon, NH, rather than upgrade the 8 v2s, they just added 8 v3s next to them. These mixed stations are not open to non-Tesla EVs, most likely to avoid confusion.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Early Teslas couldn't charge on CCS without the charge port computer getting swapped out. It's fully possible that a rivian could get a Tesla canbus compatible one as well.

Tesla hasn't ever said they were going to share their proprietary protocol here, so while possible, incredibly unlikely.

 

[Mathme]

Also make sure you have a credit card attached to your Rivian Profile so Rivian has a way to charge you. It's pretty easy:

Rivian.com --> Login to your account (upper right corner) --> Profile --> Order History.

 

[webfootdawg]

Any reviews of the A2Z adapter for this?
https://a2zevshop.com/products/a2z-thunderstorm-plug-ccs1-ccs-combo

 

[oskeei]

Any reviews of the A2Z adapter for this?
https://a2zevshop.com/products/a2z-thunderstorm-plug-ccs1-ccs-combo

Don't have that exact adapter, but will vouch for A2Z's quality as I own two NACS to CCS adapters.

Even if they built it into the price, great CX to avoid buyer getting a tariff bill from UPS or FedEx.

(edit) corrected to NACS to CCS.

 

[webfootdawg]

Agree, I have the A2Z for my gen1 R1S. Friends got a new NACS R1S. Didn't come with an adapter for DC charging.

 

[Joules Burn]

I got my 26 R1S three weeks ago and I'm still waiting for Rivan to send me the L2 NACS adapter. The A2Z adapters that I had for Gen 1 worked great and were very well made.

The Tesla app will tell you which chargers are open to non-Teslas. The subscription price is worth it if you are taking road trips and the app is seamless.

 

[Riv&LetLiv]

Last night I was at an an event about the new Quad R1 at the Rivian Space in San Francisco and was told by some Rivian Engineers (though admittedly not from the charging team) that the NACS Rivians will be able to use *most* of the Tesla network because they will have the hardware for the Tesla charging protocol built in. They said that Tesla could still limit some charging stations to Teslas only, but it wouldn't be because it wouldn't work. It would just be a preference.

Just reporting what they told me, so...

Just an update as I received my 2026 Rivian with NACS yesterday. I was able to charge on my Tesla home Level 2 charger with NACS (after changing its default preferences from "charge Teslas only" to "Charge any vehicle.") I successfully charged at a Tesla v4 supercharger. I also did try a 150kW Tesla supercharger, but the Tesla app wouldn't let me select it, so looks like just v3 and v4 for the 2026 NACS Rivian.

Ironically I cannot yet charge at my nearby RAN charger, as I'll need a DC CCS to NACS adapter (Rivian only supplies a J1772 to NACS adapter)

 

[Joules Burn]

Just an update as I received my 2026 Rivian with NACS yesterday. I was able to charge on my Tesla home Level 2 charger with NACS (after changing its default preferences from "charge Teslas only" to "Charge any vehicle.") I successfully charged at a Tesla v4 supercharger. I also did try a 150kW Tesla supercharger, but the Tesla app wouldn't let me select it, so looks like just v3 and v4 for the 2026 NACS Rivian.

Ironically I cannot yet charge at my nearby RAN charger, as I'll need a DC CCS to NACS adapter (Rivian only supplies a J1772 to NACS adapter)

Rivian will sell you a DC adapter for $300. A2Z has one for less than half the price - and may be just as good or better.
And Rivian is not supplying the promised L2 NACS adapters. Inquiries have been radio silent for weeks.

 

[MidnightRivian]

2026 NACS vehicles can order the CCS1 to NACS adapter for their vehicles to get access to even more chargers.

A2Z EV is covering the duties right now as mentioned on the home page.

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2026 model vehicles: A2Z EV adapter to go from CCS1 to NACS. Get access to even more chargers with this adapter and the CCS network.

CCS1 Charger To NACS Vehicle | DC | Compatible with Tesla Vehicles & NACS vehicles | The Thunderstorm Plug

This post and future posts may contain links to affiliate website (A2Z EV / Lectron), and we may receive a commission for any purchase made by you on the affiliate website. Our affiliates include GoAFFpro, CJ Publishing and Shareasale.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

@MidnightRivian, is A2Z one of your paying clients?

I don't mind paid promotions, which can be very helpful -- but in my world (health care) any financial conflict of interest has to be disclosed when promoting anything.

Best wishes!

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