Which charging accessories are recommended for the upcoming Rivian R2?

Question

What charging gear are you guys actually planning to buy for the R2 once it finally ships? I put my deposit down the second the reveal happened and now Im totally overthinking the garage setup. I'm moving into a new place in Chicago later this year and I want to get the 240v wiring done before I move my stuff in, but the whole NACS transition is throwing me for a loop. I did some digging and saw that the R2 will have the NACS port natively, so I was looking at the Tesla Universal Wall Connector since it seems future-proof with that built-in adapter. But then I read some threads saying the Rivian Wall Charger is way better for software integration and seeing everything in one app. Is that actually true or just marketing talk? My budget for the charger itself is around $800 and I only drive about 45 miles a day for my commute so I dont need the craziest power output, I just want something that wont break or get outdated in two years. Should I stick with a brand name or is something like a Grizzl-E better if I just want a dumb charger that works? Im just trying to avoid buying something now that I'll regret when the car actually shows up in my driveway...

BaguetteBite · Accepted Answer

Honestly, in my experience, the software integration stuff is mostly marketing talk. Your Rivian will manage the charging schedule on its own, so having a charger that talks to the car app is basically redundant. Since the R2 is NACS native, the Tesla Universal Wall Connector 48A NACS J1772 is the most logical choice. Its built well and handles the transition perfectly without messy adapters. One key tip: definitely hardwire whatever unit you buy instead of using a plug. It eliminates the common failure point of a melting outlet, which is a major safety upgrade. If you want a tank that wont quit during a Chicago winter, the Grizzl-E Classic NEMA 14-50 40A is a solid dumb alternative. For a 45-mile commute, a 40-amp circuit is plenty. Hardwiring is just simpler and safer long-term tbh.

lyzeiseqts · Answer

tbh moving to Chicago adds a whole new layer of stuff to worry about for an EV setup. I've lived through those winters and you really need to be careful with which hardware you choose. Since the R2 is coming with NACS native, you definitely want to stick to that standard from the jump. A few things you might want to consider before the electrician shows up:

Cable flexibility is king. When it hits -10 degrees, some of those cheaper cables get stiff as a board and it's a total nightmare to wrap them back up. I would suggest the ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 NACS because their cables are legendary for staying flexible in the extreme cold. It's right at your $800 limit tho.

Hardwire the unit. Seriously. Since you're already doing the wiring in a new place, dont bother with a NEMA 14-50 plug. Hardwiring is way more reliable, handles the heat better, and reduces the risk of the outlet wearing out or tripping after years of use.

If you want to save some cash, the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger NACS is a solid workhorse. It's way under your budget and gives you great data on how much you're actually spending on electricity, which is nice for tracking your monthly costs. Just make sure your electrician uses a 60-amp breaker so you can actually hit those 48-amp speeds. Even if your daily commute is short, you'll regret not having the extra overhead when you get home from a road trip at 5% and need to leave again the next morning... definitely worth the extra few bucks for the wire gauge.