RIVIAN IMPROVED CHARGING MASSIVELY! 1,000MI ROAD TRIP FROM CA TO CO W/ NEW ENERGY SOFTWARE

EV Channels Review

This video documents a 1,000-mile road trip from California to Colorado in a Rivian R1T Dual-Motor Max Pack, focusing on testing the new 2025.18 software update. The update introduces an improved energy app and enhanced charging performance, particularly for the Max Pack. The reviewer highlights the significant improvements in top-end charging speed (80-100%), noting a reduction in thermal dips and a more consistent charging experience compared to previous software versions. The new energy app is praised for its potential to demystify charging issues with clear tips and data, though the reviewer expresses some difficulty grasping the time-based interval display and the separation of output and regen. Charging infrastructure proved to be a significant hurdle, with multiple Electrify America stations experiencing connection issues, failures, and slow speeds, necessitating a move to a 150kW charger instead of the desired 350kW to test peak performance. Despite these charging frustrations, the reviewer commends Rivian for maximizing the capabilities of the Samsung cells and notes that the improved charging performance, especially at higher states of charge, is a substantial upgrade. The R1T's driving dynamics, particularly in low suspension mode, are also favorably compared to the R1S.