FYI: Rivian confirms charger door relocation for its upcoming R2 model to the driver’s side after community feedback.
Rivian Relocates R2 Charger Port to Driver’s Side Following Community Feedback
Rivian has ceded to mounting pressure from its community and has decided to relocate the charger door on its forthcoming R2 model to the driver’s side of the vehicle. This announcement was subtly disclosed at a recent showing of the R2 and R3X models at the Rivian Space in Pasadena, California.
InsideEVs Confirms Charger Door Relocation
The speculation was initially sparked by a post from a Rivian Forum member who mentioned that a Rivian VP inadvertently revealed the information. InsideEVs subsequently confirmed the accuracy of this significant update.
In an email to InsideEVs, a Rivian spokesperson stated, “We can confirm the charge port will be located on the rear driver’s side of R2. We look forward to sharing more info and specs on R2 in the future.” However, the specific reasons driving this decision remain undisclosed.
The Persistent Plight of Non-standardized Charge Port Locations
A recurring issue in the EV industry is the lack of a standardized location for charge ports. Different manufacturers have opted for various placements, ranging from the rear of the driver’s side to the front fender. Rivian initially chose the rear passenger side for its models.
As Tesla opens up its Supercharger network to other brands, the inconvenience of mismatched charger port locations and short cables has become more evident. This inconsistency has led to double-parking issues at charging stations, a temporary fix endorsed by Tesla but not necessarily well-received by all Tesla owners.
Original Intentions Behind Rivian’s Initial Design
Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s Chief Design Officer, had previously justified the initial position of the charge port. His rationale was rooted in accommodating the charging practices prevalent in Europe where Rivian intends to sell its vehicles. Hammoud explained, “We did a lot of research and specifically in left-hand-drive countries in Europe we saw a lot of people charging cars on the street. You’d see charging cables wrapped over hoods to get to the other side, and we wanted to solve that.”
Potential Implications for Other Rivian Models
Rivian has yet to comment on whether this change will extend to other models in their lineup. The recently refreshed R1 series has retained its original charge port location, a sensible choice considering it was only a mid-cycle refresh.
However, the impending R3 and R3X models might see this update integrated. Given that the R2 was far enough in its production timeline to accommodate this significant change, it stands to reason that Rivian might apply the same logic to its other upcoming vehicles.
Upcoming Model Launches
The Rivian R2 is slated for a launch in the first half of 2026, followed by the R3X hot hatch shortly after. This timing provides Rivian an ample window to fine-tune these important design considerations.
Conclusion
Rivian’s decision to reposition the R2’s charge port aligns with its commitment to evolving based on customer feedback and market dynamics. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the push towards more practical and standardized design choices remains a priority. Stay tuned to Automotive.fyi for more updates on the latest in automotive advancements.
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William Kouch, Editor at Automotive.fyi
