Rivian Teases Groundbreaking Bidirectional Charger For Its EVs

Rivian has hinted at a powerful bidirectional charger that will enable Rivian electric vehicles (EVs) to not only receive power but also supply it to homes and other vehicles, marking a major advancement in vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology.

In Rivian’s recent 2024 Investor Day presentation, Vidya Rajagopalan, the company’s VP of Hardware Engineering, teased plans for a bidirectional charger capable of delivering up to 24 kilowatts of DC power. As a result, this makes it the most powerful V2H charger on the market.

Rivian’s new charger will be compatible with both first and second-generation R1T and R1S models, addressing what Rajagopalan called a “common misconception” about the V2H capabilities of current Rivian models. While the models have long had the necessary hardware for bidirectional charging, they lacked the software and compatible charger to activate this feature yet.

Rivian’s decision to utilize DC charging for their bidirectional charger sets them apart from most competing products that use AC (Level-2) charging. While this approach may result in a higher price point due to the need for a more complex DC-DC converter, it allows for the 24 kW power output in both directions. In addition, the company also plans to provide a less powerful 11 kW AC bidirectional charger for its upcoming R2 platform.

While Rivian has not yet announced a release date or pricing for the new charger, the announcement showcases the company’s dedication to innovating the charging experience for its EV owners. As power grid challenges persist and the push for electric mobility solutions grows, Rivian’s bidirectional charging technology will increase the value of its EV models while contributing to the company’s broader goal.

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