How does the Renault 5 handle proper road trips?

This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a post that immediately grabbed my attention. As EV adoption grows, one of the biggest questions many Rivian owners face isn’t about performance or range; it’s about charging. And when you’re on the road with only 30 miles of range left, the difference between clear communication and misleading assumptions could mean the difference between a smooth trip and a total panic.

Marc, a Rivian R1S owner, shared a frustrating story that I think many EV drivers, especially new ones, can relate to. It wasn’t about the truck itself, but rather about the charging ecosystem Rivian said he’d be able to use.

Here’s exactly what Marc wrote:

“When I purchased my R1S, I was told that I could charge at Tesla chargers, so I bought the adapter from Rivian for $250. I went to my first Tesla chargers on I-95 in Connecticut and found out that I can only charge at the Tesla Superchargers. I’m on another road trip this weekend and went to the Tesla Supercharger in Lee, Massachusetts. Of course, that didn’t work, and when I called Rivian roadside support with only 30 miles of range left, I was told that only certain Tesla Superchargers are available to Rivians. I then found an Electrify America Supercharger, and that didn’t work either. I finally found a Mercedes Supercharger, and fortunately, that worked great. Long story short, I’m pretty upset that Rivian’s sales claim that I can charge at Tesla chargers was not accurate.”

Let’s pause there.

If you’ve never driven an EV before, you might assume, understandably, that a Tesla charging adapter means you can plug into any Tesla charger and be on your way. But as Marc discovered the hard way, that’s just not how it works. And even some EV veterans have found themselves tripped up by how inconsistent or poorly explained this compatibility can be.

Not All Tesla Superchargers Are Created Equal 

While it’s technically true that Rivian’s can charge at some Tesla Supercharger stations, only select sites are currently open to non-Tesla vehicles. These locations are visible within the Tesla app, which shows “Magic Dock” compatibility or NACS support based on your vehicle. But here’s the catch: unless someone explicitly tells you to check the Tesla app and shows you how to filter for compatible stations, you might assume that the $250 adapter unlocks all Superchargers. And that’s where owners like Marc are feeling misled.

It’s a complaint we’re seeing more and more, where owners feel that the promise of convenient charging turned into a scavenger hunt with no guarantee of success. And when you add in situations like this Rivian owner whose R1S took over an hour to charge at a Level 3 station and still needed service, it’s easy to see why trust in EV charging infrastructure is a work in progress.

Charging Support, Or Charging Confusion? 

Marc’s experience didn’t just stop at Tesla. When Electrify America also failed him, he was left scrambling to find alternatives. Thankfully, a Mercedes-branded charging station saved the day, but it shouldn’t take multiple failed attempts to get a full battery.

This reminds me of another recent story we covered, where a Rivian owner had their vehicle plugged in overnight and woke up to a dead battery, leading to confusion and concern about whether their system was functioning properly at all.

Community to the Rescue 

While Marc’s frustration is absolutely justified, the Rivian community didn’t leave him hanging. Several other owners chimed in under his post to offer advice and perspective, and their comments help illustrate the broader picture that new owners need to hear.

Ken responded: “You can charge at Tesla Destination Chargers, but you need a different adapter than the Tesla Supercharger adapter. As for the Superchargers, only use the Tesla app to see which ones are available.”

That distinction between Destination Chargers (usually slower, AC-based chargers at hotels and businesses) and Tesla Superchargers (fast DC stations for long-distance travel) is critical. And unfortunately, it’s one that’s often glossed over in casual sales conversations.

Vincent added: “Get the Tesla app, which will tell you which Tesla Superchargers are compatible with the adapter. My Rivian delivery team was clear on this, and the Rivian message app is also a good resource. Have Fun.”

That’s helpful, if you know to ask. And if you don’t, you could easily end up in a situation like Marc’s.

Lastly, Jann shared a much smoother experience: “Drove to California and back from Florida, 6,000 total miles. The Rivian trip planner took me exactly where I needed to charge. Piece of cake.”

Jann’s story shows that long-distance road trips in a Rivian can absolutely go off without a hitch, but only if you use the right tools and have the right expectations.

Why the Misunderstanding Happens 

Rivian, like many EV startups, is navigating a rapidly changing infrastructure landscape. Tesla’s charging network is the gold standard in the U.S., and with the rollout of the NACS (North American Charging Standard), more and more non-Tesla EVs will have access to that network. But it’s not universal yet, and owners need to know that upfront.

Rivian does offer guidance through their delivery advisors and message app, but not everyone gets the same level of support. Some customers get a walkthrough of the Tesla app and are told exactly how to identify compatible Superchargers. Others, like Marc, are simply told, “You can charge at Tesla stations”, and left to figure it out themselves.

That gap in communication is what turns excitement into disappointment.

And when you combine that with issues like a Rivian owner who charged for 11 hours and only got 70 miles or others paying to support Tesla while secretly resenting it, it becomes clear that frustration around charging is as much about expectations as it is about execution.

Journalist Insight: Why This Matters 

As an automotive journalist watching this unfold, I think there’s a bigger takeaway here beyond just one person’s road trip mishap. We’re witnessing the early growing pains of a charging transition that will define how EVs are adopted by the masses.

Marc did everything right. He bought the adapter. He followed the promise. He was proactive. But the information pipeline failed him.

And when even Electrify America, the supposed fallback, doesn’t deliver, it’s no wonder owners are left wondering if they made the right call. Some are even stuck charging for hours with no improvement in range, or waking up to a drained battery and no clear answer.

A Moral for All EV Owners 

So here’s the moral: if you’re going to drive an EV, especially one from a startup brand, you need to become your own advocate. Learn the charging landscape, get the apps, read the forums, and double-check everything the salesperson tells you. Because the difference between a seamless journey and a weekend ruined by failed chargers might come down to something as small as clicking the right icon in an app.

And if you’re on the other side, working in EV sales or delivery, this is your reminder that what you say (or don’t say) matters. Clarity builds confidence. Confusion builds resentment.

Your Turn 

Have you ever had a charging experience that went south because of poor information? Do you think EV brands are doing enough to prepare buyers for real-world charging?

Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear what worked for you, what didn’t, and how we can all help new owners avoid feeling like Marc did.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.