R2 vs Tesla Charging Curve Comparison

Jeremy3292 · 2026-07-20

I've been interested in the differences between R2 and Tesla charging curves. Over the least few weeks, I've done some 10% to 80% sessions at a V4 supercharger (posts) with my 2024 Model 3 Performance (Highland) at 8am before it got hot, so no derating. I plotted them on the graph below using the R2 curve from Tom at SOC. I imagine this would be the same charging curve for Model Y as they share the exact same cells, sans the new MYP. It is interesting to see this in a graphic visual. It confirms that R2 has a much better curve and also charges quicker than Tesla. The area under the curve for Tesla is crazy. It took a few seconds under 30 minutes each time for the Model 3 for 10% to 80%. R2 did it in just under 27 minutes per Tom. Model 3 took 23 minutes for 10% to 70%, R2 did it in 20 minutes. That might not seem like a lot but shaving a few minutes off is a very big deal from an engineering and thermal perspective. Lest we also forget R2 has an 11-12% larger battery too, so one would think the Model 3 could/would charge quicker - or at the very minimum be the same - but it's worse. This shows how good R2 thermals are coupled with the 4695 tabless cells for better heat dissipation Yes, we all know it is not 800v. We don't need to bring that up anymore. The point is the R2 is still very capable, very good, and beats out its main competition which is Tesla. Yep. Rivian has refined the 400 volt architecture in R2 to perform quite well with existing public fast chargers. In the future, infrastructure will better and more widely support 800 volt EV systems. For now, Rivian engineers and management are making spot on decisions. BTW, the San Bernardino RAN chargers were recently upgraded to newer chargers that also have NACS cables. Using my adapter I charged my 2025 R1T Tri at 214 kw. The old RAN chargers only gave me 170 at best. I sometimes top off at RAN San Bernardino before heading into the Mojave desert or the San Bernardino National Forest. Good times. Drive well.

Thread starter Jeremy3292
Start date Yesterday at 8:24 AM
Watchers 7

blipit

Well-Known Member

5 minutes ago

shandering said:
If you road trip a rivian r2 and a model Y I think the R2 would lose. The charging is the same on both vehicles but the tesla has more stations.

Model Y is more efficient. That is where it would catch and pass a R2 on a long road trip. We have to keep in mind, the Model 3 and Y is now 10 year old technology. The R2 tech is going to age quickly. Everyone has already been complaining about Tesla not advancing their battery tech quick enough. So comparing the R2 to an aging platform isn't ideal.