DIY: How To Add Interior 12v/USB-C (and interior high-current 12v loads)

[cdhutzler]

Great instructions and took me under an hour to do everything! Didn't need to disconnect the 12V battery/HV battery as I just used a spare M6 nut on top of the existing bolt/threads on the 12V side. Simple!

I put two outlets in - one on each side of the RIVIAN logo plastic. Down low worked for me - I did it about 1" above the bottom but would suggest maybe going to 1.25" as the rubber console tray mat comes up a little and bumps into where I put my outlets - thankfully they clear just barely but I would raise them 1/4" if I did it again.

The outlets are about 1.75" in from the left and right sides. I used a 28mm forstner bit to drill the holes for my particular 12V outlets (12V Outlets (Blue LED) Amazon Link). One thing I did before drilling was to put some blue painters tape over the front of the plastic trim panel. This allowed me to mark the exact location with a pencil on the tape (I used calipers to ensure they were exactly the same location/symmetrical on both sides). And the tape also ensured the forstner bit did not "chew up" the plastic. I drilled from the "nice/logo side" and the resulting 28mm hole was both tight and perfectly sized for my 12V outlets.

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[Sundar]

Great instructions and took me under an hour to do everything! Didn't need to disconnect the 12V battery/HV battery as I just used a spare M6 nut on top of the existing bolt/threads on the 12V side. Simple!

did you do this on a gen 2 (model year '25 or '26) vehicle?

 

[cdhutzler]

did you do this on a gen 2 (model year '25 or '26) vehicle?

brand new 2026 gen2

 

[tobidogger]

Adding to this thread with a thanks for the great advice. In my late gen1 r1s I was able to get - on the metal frame, but it is not am m6, I have no idea what it is, but I had a bolt that fit that hole and got the the same post up under the passenger side for +. I found it hysterical that the easiest way for me to work under there was to put the window down and put the left foot up there and my right foot on the door handle: it was not that uncomfortable. HAHAHAHA! I went with this setup because that switch is also a circuit breaker. All of this from Powerwerx. Right is a cig, the other 2 are pd usb-c can run my starlink and laptop as well as usb a. I now can easily charge CB and other things, finally!

It was easy, but I am not as clean as you all, so thank goodness for the faceplate covering some sins! Took maybe 90 min total and part of that was the classic, "this is a project that needs not dogs..." and they kept nabbing my screw drivers. Going to scrub some light scratches out and call this one a win!

Again thanks to those who shared helpful notes!

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