USB-C ports limited to 15 watts in R2?

[macb00kemdanno]

I know, first world problems. But that seems pretty low for a 2027 model year EV. 15W won’t even keep my laptop charged while running.

Saw this over on the R2 enthusiast forum on Facebook, but can anyone else confirm. It seems legit because it’s supposedly in the owners manual.

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[R1Thrilled]

Unfortunately I can confirm this. All usb c ports are 15w.

 

[FlyingPilot2012]

Any guesses as to the "future feature" for the USB C outlets in the center glove box?

 

[not_found]

Any guesses as to the "future feature" for the USB C outlets in the center glove box?

my guess would be gear guard.

 

[ndmiller]

I thought 15W was the spec for USB-C ports, so confirmed via google. What you are looking for is USB PD which is rare in vehicles as USB-C spec is used. Need a hub plugged into the rear cargo 12V DC or 120V AC plug with a USB-C PD Cable from that hub to your laptop..

A USB port supplies between 2.5 W and 240 W, depending on its standard and connected devices. Power is calculated by multiplying voltage (5 V) by the current, which scales as follows: [1, 2, 3, 4]

• USB 2.0: 5V × 0.5A = 2.5W
• USB 3.0/3.1: 5V × 0.9A = 4.5W
• Dedicated Charging Ports: Up to 5V × 1.5A = 7.5W
• USB-C: 5V × 3A = 15W
• USB Power Delivery (USB PD): Up to 240W (48V × 5A) for compatible devices and cables [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I thought 15W was the spec for USB-C ports, so confirmed via google. What you are looking for is USB PD which is rare in vehicles as USB-C spec is used. Need a hub plugged into the rear cargo 12V DC or 120V AC plug with a USB-C PD Cable from that hub to your laptop..

A USB port supplies between 2.5 W and 240 W, depending on its standard and connected devices. Power is calculated by multiplying voltage (5 V) by the current, which scales as follows: [1, 2, 3, 4]

• USB 2.0: 5V × 0.5A = 2.5W
• USB 3.0/3.1: 5V × 0.9A = 4.5W
• Dedicated Charging Ports: Up to 5V × 1.5A = 7.5W
• USB-C: 5V × 3A = 15W
• USB Power Delivery (USB PD): Up to 240W (48V × 5A) for compatible devices and cables [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Thanks, ChatGPT

Most newer EVs deliver at least 60W PD to the ports. The Ioniq 9 USB-C ports do 100W PD.

 

[Tony S]

Thanks, ChatGPT

Most newer EVs deliver at least 60W PD to the ports. The Ioniq 9 USB-C ports do 100W PD.

Your concept of what a car is for much more aligned with a Tesla. Many of us are happy with the difference.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Your concept of what a car is for much more aligned with a Tesla. Many of us are happy with the difference.

What does Tesla have to do with anything I wrote?

 

[runwithscissors]

What does Tesla have to do with anything I wrote?

Tons of Tesla/Elon haters here unfortunately. All the virtue signaling from ohhhh I sold my MY to get a Rivian is comical.

 

[SwampNut]

All the virtue signaling from ohhhh I sold my MY to get a Rivian is comical.

Extra comical and sad when it’s tossed in without anyone bringing up Tesla to start with.

It’s ridiculously sad that we drive a battery with wheels but have to wire in a proper USB charger in 2026. So dumb. At least my R1 has the 12v outlet, but I ran a wire in the dash for a real phone charger.

 

[Jeremy3292]

15W is just a little slow but still plenty for charging phones quickly, which is my use case, but others I assume charge laptops and tablets which need more than that. For iPhones anything over 20W is unnecessary.

Flip side is you can charge it super fast with the outlet in the trunk.

 

[Windblade]

I know, first world problems. But that seems pretty low for a 2027 model year EV. 15W won’t even keep my laptop charged while running.

Saw this over on the R2 enthusiast forum on Facebook, but can anyone else confirm. It seems legit because it’s supposedly in the owners manual.

The R2 center console and headrest supports are rated to 15W same as the Gen 1 R1S/R1Ts (good for phones, tablets, smaller devices). It is hard to find an ultralight laptop that doesn't consume >45W and most standard laptops use 65-100W. iPads (depending on size and if idle or charging with screen off) use between 15-38W. My understanding is the Gen 2 RIS/R1Ts support up to 60W.

 

[CharonPDX]

Thanks, ChatGPT

Most newer EVs deliver at least 60W PD to the ports. The Ioniq 9 USB-C ports do 100W PD.

"Most?" Looking at a few randomly chosen EV specs, it appears that USB-PD ports are still rare. More common in the back seats when they're there at all.

Digging more, it appears Ioniq9 is the *ONLY* vehicle with 100W USB-PD.

I found a few with 36W, but the vast majority are 25W or below. I can't find any between 37W and 99W. (I see Windblade claiming that Gen 2 R1 supports 60W, but can't find any other evidence of that.)

 

[SwampNut]

25w is a huge upgrade from 15. My day to day road kit has a MacBook Neo, which I use in the Rivian and at places I go to. The stock charger brick is 20w, it can intake up to 30w, but at 15 may not get much charge. The iPad is rather similar (actually may consume more power, not sure).

During a busy field work day, many people want to put a FAST 15 minute charge into a device, so yes, it does very much matter that at 15w you can barely charge a modern phone that is also doing nav and media, all the common usage. Just one week ago today I found myself with a super low charge out doing work (yes, my fault) and needed a fast boost on the laptop.

Because I live in a super hot place, my iPhone charger in the car has a cooling element, which itself consumes power, so I need a minimum of 27w for it.

It is hard to find an ultralight laptop that doesn't consume >45W and most standard laptops use 65-100W.

No, there are Apple stores and resellers just about everywhere, so it's easy to find.

If you have the 12v outlet at least you can buy a plug for it with 100w+, and if you don't, it's not rocket surgery to wire in a power station. I'm probably going to add one since between the two of us we may need a bunch of devices on a trip.

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