2022 R1T Charging Slower Than Usual - Any Ideas?

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Diana O. · rep 0 · May 22, 7:21 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition

Hey everyone, I've had my 2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition for about a year and a half now, and recently I've noticed a significant drop in charging speed. It used to charge up pretty quickly, whether at home on my Rivian Wall Charger or at public DC fast chargers.

Lately, it feels like it's taking forever. My home charger used to deliver around 11 kW, but now it barely hits 7-8 kW. At Electrify America stations, where I used to see 150 kW+, I'm lucky to get 80-90 kW, even when the battery is low and preconditioned. I've tried different cables and even a different public charger, but the results are consistent.

I've checked for any new software updates, and I'm on the latest version. No warning lights on the dash. Has anyone else experienced this with their R1T? Could it be a battery issue, or something with the charging port itself? Any advice before I schedule a service appointment would be greatly appreciated.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Experiencing a slowdown in charging speed with your Rivian R1T can be frustrating, especially when it's a critical part of daily ownership. This issue can stem from several factors, ranging from software nuances to hardware concerns. Here's a breakdown of potential causes and what steps you can take:

Potential Causes for Reduced Charging Speed:

  1. Software Optimization/Bugs: Rivian frequently updates its vehicle software. Sometimes, updates might introduce new battery management strategies that prioritize battery longevity over peak charging speed, or a bug could be limiting power delivery. Ensure your vehicle's software is fully up to date.
  2. Battery Management System (BMS) Balancing: The BMS constantly monitors and balances individual battery cells. If cells become imbalanced, the system might reduce charging rates to safely rebalance them, which can take time.
  3. Battery Temperature: Both extremely cold and hot battery temperatures can significantly impact charging speed. The BMS will limit power to protect the battery pack. While you mentioned preconditioning, extreme ambient conditions can still play a role.
  4. Charging Infrastructure Issues: While you've tried different chargers, it's worth double-checking your home EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) for any faults or reduced output. Public chargers can also vary in their actual power delivery due to grid load or internal issues.
  5. Charging Port or Cable Degradation: Over time, the vehicle's charging port or the charging cables themselves can experience wear or minor damage, leading to increased resistance and reduced power transfer. Inspect your cables and the vehicle's port for any visible signs of damage or corrosion.
  6. Onboard Charger (OBC) or DC-DC Converter Fault: The vehicle's internal components responsible for managing AC (home charging) and DC (fast charging) power conversion could be malfunctioning. This is a less common but possible hardware issue.

When to See a Shop (Rivian Service Center):

If you've tried the following and the issue persists, it's time to schedule a service appointment:

  • Software Update Check: Confirmed your R1T is on the latest software version.
  • Multiple Charger Test: Verified the issue across several different public DC fast chargers and your home charger.
  • Cable Inspection: Inspected your charging cables and vehicle port for damage.
  • No Improvement: The charging speed remains consistently lower than expected, significantly impacting your vehicle's usability.

Rivian service technicians have specialized diagnostic tools to read internal fault codes (which are often proprietary and not standard OBD-II codes for high-voltage systems) and assess the health of your battery pack, BMS, and charging hardware. They can pinpoint whether it's a software recalibration, a component replacement, or another underlying issue.