Rivian NACS DC Adapter Review: Using Tesla Superchargers With a Rivian

If you're new to EV ownership, you're not alone. When I bought my Rivian, I knew very little about electricity, charging standards, or what all the different charger "levels" actually meant. I didn't know which outlet was which, what kind of switch controlled a fan versus a light, or even the real difference between a watt and a volt.

What I did know ★ when I received my first $500 Rivian referral credit ★ was that Tesla Superchargers were everywhere around me in the Chicagoland area. What I didn't know was whether I could actually use a Tesla Supercharger with my brand-new Rivian.

So, in a very uncharacteristic move for me, I skipped most of the research and used half of my referral credit on the Rivian NACS DC Adapter, purely on gut instinct.

What Is the Rivian NACS DC Adapter?

The Rivian NACS DC Adapter allows Rivian vehicles to charge at Tesla Superchargers that use the NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector.

In simple terms:

• Rivians use CCS for DC fast charging
• Tesla Superchargers use NACS
• This adapter safely bridges the two

For Rivian owners who road trip ★ or who live in areas where Tesla chargers are far more common than CCS chargers ★ this adapter dramatically expands fast-charging options.

Road Trip #1: Chicago ? Minneapolis

What surprised me most was how dense the Tesla Supercharger network is, especially across Wisconsin. There were Superchargers at highway exits every 20★30 miles, making them almost as accessible as gas stations.

At each stop, I consistently added around 50% charge in 25★30 minutes. We stopped more often than necessary out of caution, but by the end of the trip, I was left wondering why I'd ever had range anxiety in the first place.

The experience was fast, predictable, and stress-free.

Road Trip #2: Chicago ? St. Louis

The second trip highlighted just how valuable the adapter really is. Charging options on this route are sparse. I was counting on stopping in Bloomington, IL ★ home of the original Rivian factory ★ where the Rivian Adventure Network chargers are located.

Unfortunately, the Adventure Network chargers I tried would not initiate a charge with my vehicle.

Non-Tesla Networks: Mixed Results at Best

On the same trip, I tried chargers from Electrify America, EVgo, and EVxy, with inconsistent results.

• Electrify America was the best of the group, but charging speeds were roughly 75% of Tesla Supercharger speeds
• After ~30 minutes on a hot day, the charger appeared to overheat and stop
• At 80% charge, the system estimated another hour to reach 100%

Tesla Superchargers were consistently faster, more reliable, and easier to use.

Why I Chose the Official Adapter

When dealing with high-voltage, high-current DC fast charging, I'm not interested in saving a few dollars on a questionable third-party adapter. The official Rivian NACS DC Adapter is:

• Designed and certified for Rivian vehicles
• Built to handle sustained DC fast charging
• Compact, easy to use, quick to connect
• Fits perfectly in the frunk's netted storage area

Final Verdict

Technical Deep Dive: EV Charging Standards & Times

Rivian vs. Tesla Chargers ★ With Charging Times

Charger Types & Plugs

Tesla (North America)

• Connector: NACS (Tesla port)
• Home charging: Tesla Wall Connector (hardwired) or Mobile Connector (portable)
• Acceptance: Tesla vehicles use NACS; adapters available for J1772/CCS chargers too

Rivian (R1S Dual Max)

• Connector: CCS1 (combo port handles both AC J1772 and DC CCS)
• Home charging: Uses J1772-compatible Level 2 charging equipment
• Supercharging access: With a NACS ? CCS adapter, Rivians can use many Tesla chargers

What Chargers Plug Into at Home

Level 1 (120V) ★ Standard household outlet: very slow (~2★4 mi added per hour). Not practical for daily use on big batteries.

Level 2 (240V)

• Portable with a NEMA 14-50: ~32 A / 7.7 kW (adds ~15★20 mi range/hr)
• Dedicated Level 2 (40★48 A hardwired): ~9.6★11.5 kW (adds ~20★25 mi range/hr)
• Hardwired chargers (Tesla Wall Connector, Rivian Wall Charger, or other J1772): fastest practical home setup

Estimated Charging Times ★ Rivian R1S Dual Max

Level 1 (120V)

• Adds ~2★4 mi of range per hour
• Fully depleted to full: roughly several days (not recommended)

Level 2 (240V)

• Basic portable 240V (NEMA 14-50): adds ~15★20 mi/hr, ~20★22 hours to ~80% for a Max pack (~410 mi)
• Hardwired 40★48 A charger (9.6★11.5 kW): adds ~20★25 mi/hr, ~16★18 hours to ~80%
• Full 0★100% could be 20+ hours depending on onboard charger limits

Note: Charging slows as the battery fills, so overnight home charging typically gets you to ~80★90% if you start from low SOC before bedtime.

DC Fast Charging (Public / Tesla Superchargers)

• Rivian Dual Max supports up to ~220 kW DC fast charging
• 10% ? 80%: roughly 30★40 minutes at a capable high-power station
• Adds ~130★140+ miles in first ~15★20 minutes under ideal conditions

Fastest Home Charging Setup

Best home charging = Level 2 hardwired on a dedicated 240V circuit. Hardwire a 48 A EVSE (11.5 kW) if your electrical panel can support it. This gives the best balance of cost, speed, and convenience.

Setup	Speed
120V outlet	~2★4 mi/hr (slow trickle)
Portable 240V (NEMA 14-50)	~15★20 mi/hr
Hardwired Level 2 (40★48 A)	~20★25+ mi/hr

Tips

• Charging speed varies with battery temperature, current state of charge, and electrical capacity
• For daily use, many owners plug in each night and let the vehicle top off automatically
• Keeping SOC in a 20★80% range is often recommended for battery longevity