Will Rivian Sell an Adapter for NACS? What EV Owners Need to Know

As the North American Charging Standard (NACS) becomes the new norm in the electric vehicle (EV) landscape, questions are swirling about which automakers will offer support—and how. Rivian, known for its rugged electric trucks and SUVs, is one such automaker at the center of speculation. One pressing question from current and future Rivian owners is: Will Rivian sell an adapter for NACS to enable access to Tesla’s Supercharger network?

In this article, we’ll explore Rivian’s NACS transition plans, the likelihood of an official adapter, and what this means for R1T and R1S drivers.

Rivian and the NACS Transition: A Quick Overview

In June 2023, Rivian announced that it would adopt Tesla’s NACS charging port on future vehicles starting in 2025. This move followed similar commitments from Ford, GM, Volvo, and other major players. For Rivian, this decision is a strategic one—opening up access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, which includes more than 15,000 stations across North America.

However, for current Rivian R1T and R1S owners—whose vehicles use the CCS1 (Combined Charging System) port—the question becomes: how will they gain access to NACS-only chargers before Rivian fully transitions?

Will Rivian Sell a NACS Adapter?

Yes—Rivian has confirmed plans to provide a NACS adapter to existing R1T and R1S owners starting in 2024. This adapter will allow Rivian owners with CCS1 ports to use Tesla Superchargers that support NACS, bridging the gap until NACS ports are integrated into future Rivian vehicles.

Here’s what we know so far:

• Timeline: Rivian plans to roll out the adapter in 2024, ahead of the 2025 NACS port integration.

• Availability: The adapter is expected to be made available to all current R1T and R1S customers.

• Functionality: It will enable access to select Tesla Superchargers—particularly the V3 stations that are opening up to non-Tesla EVs via the Magic Dock or NACS compatibility.

• Pricing: Rivian has not yet disclosed pricing details, but it's likely to be similar to other OEM-supplied adapters (e.g., Ford’s free rollout, GM’s subsidized version, etc.).

Why This Matters for EV Charging Access

Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely regarded as the most reliable and fastest-growing DC fast charging infrastructure in North America. By offering a NACS adapter, Rivian effectively increases the real-world usability and convenience of its EVs—especially for long-distance travel and rural charging.

Currently, many third-party networks like Electrify America and EVgo suffer from inconsistent uptime, limited locations, or overcrowding. Access to Tesla Superchargers addresses one of the top concerns of potential EV buyers: charging anxiety.

What Rivian Owners Can Do to Prepare

If you own a Rivian and are eager to plug into Tesla’s network, here are a few steps to take:

1. Stay Updated: Follow Rivian’s announcements via its official website or app for preorder and availability updates.

2. Create a Tesla Account: You’ll likely need a Tesla app to access Superchargers with the adapter.

3. Plan Charging Routes: As Tesla begins opening more Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs, tools like A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) or PlugShare can help map out compatible stations.

4. Understand Limitations: Not all Superchargers will immediately support NACS adapters. Many older stations (V2) are not compatible with third-party vehicles.

Final Thoughts

Rivian’s decision to offer a NACS adapter is more than just a technical accommodation—it’s a signal of the broader EV industry shift toward standardization and user convenience. While the full NACS rollout is still a year or more away, Rivian’s proactive adapter solution ensures its current customer base doesn’t get left behind.

For Rivian drivers, the future looks more connected than ever.