What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 Rivian R1S?
You need a 48 amp Level 2 charger to fill your 163.5 kWh battery overnight. The vehicle draws a maximum of 11.5 kW through its onboard charger. A 48 amp supply replenishes 28 miles of range each hour. The EPA test cycle rates the charge time at 14.5 hours.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 11.5 kW (48 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 48 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 60 A |
| Outlet / connection | hardwired (a 48 A EVSE must be hardwired -- no household receptacle is rated for it) |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 14.2 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 28 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 114 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 3.5 miles |
| EPA rated range | 400 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 163.5 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Matching the 48 amp onboard charger means you do not waste money on larger hardware your vehicle cannot accept. Buying a 50 amp charger like the ChargePoint Home Flex will not speed up the charge because the car limits intake to 48 amps anyway. Pushing more amperage into the vehicle is physically impossible due to internal limits. The 163.5 kWh pack takes 14.2 hours to reach full capacity at the maximum rate. Stop looking for faster AC charging options because this is the ceiling.
What the install involves
A 48 amp continuous load requires a 60 amp dedicated breaker. National Electrical Code bans standard wall outlets for continuous 48 amp draws. You must hardwire the EVSE directly to the circuit to prevent melting receptacles and house fires. Hire a licensed electrician to run heavy gauge wire from your panel to the charging location. Do not attempt DIY wiring unless you understand load calculations and torque specifications.
Chargers that match this car
Energy monitoring built in. Hardwire it for the full 48 A.
Compact unit, good for tight garages.
Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- What connector does the vehicle use?
- It uses a J1772 connector for Level 2 AC charging. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses this standard.
- Can I use a standard 120 volt household outlet?
- Level 1 charging on a standard outlet delivers 3.5 miles of range per hour. A full charge from empty takes 114 hours, making standard outlets impractical for daily driving.
- Why does the EPA charge time differ from the max rate?
- The EPA test cycle rates the full charge at 14.5 hours instead of the raw 14.2 hour mathematical calculation. Testing protocols account for efficiency losses during energy conversion.
- Which charger brands work with this setup?
- Units like the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger 48A and Lectron V-Box 48A supply the correct amperage. You must hardwire both units to hit 48 amps.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 Rivian R1S (covering 23 EPA trim listings). Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.