Rivian is the latest manufacturer to adopt Tesla's connector
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Adding to the recent trend of manufacturers endorsing Tesla's charging standard, Rivian has adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS). This move, expected to take effect in spring 2024 with Rivian users utilizing adapters, is a significant step towards standardizing EV charging infrastructure. Starting in 2025, Rivian vehicles will come equipped with Tesla-style charging ports as a standard feature.
Rivian Joins Ford, GM in Embracing Tesla's Charging Standard
In what seems to be an emerging industry pattern, Rivian follows in the footsteps of auto giants Ford and General Motors, who have recently committed to Tesla's charging standard. Rivian's CEO, RJ Scaringe, voiced his preference for the compactness of Tesla's connector and the opportunity to utilize the existing charging infrastructure that Tesla has painstakingly built.
Rivian, whose share prices have struggled until this key announcement, seeks to capitalize on the customer convenience and operational efficiency offered by Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. This move also implies an anticipated rise in Rivian's stock value, as was observed with Ford and GM after their similar announcements.
Tesla's Supercharger Network Opens Up to More EVs
With Rivian's adoption of the NACS, Rivian customers can look forward to accessing Tesla's 12,000-strong Supercharger network across the US and Canada. Existing Rivian vehicle owners are also set to benefit, with Tesla-designed adapters becoming available in spring 2024.
Tesla’s Charging Leadership - Who's Next?
The wave of adoption surrounding Tesla's NACS seems far from over, with Rivian's decision adding momentum to the trend. Speculation is rife over who will be the next EV manufacturer to join this growing alliance. Notably, Hyundai has indicated an interest in joining this cohort, which could further strengthen the case for NACS and Tesla's leadership in the EV charging landscape.
Tesla's recent traction in setting the industry charging standard reflects the increasingly recognized benefits of the NACS. Several major industry players, including BTC Power and EV charging providers like ABB E-mobility North America, Tritium DCFC, and EVgo, are rushing to add NACS plugs to their charging stations, heralding a potential shift towards widespread standardization.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
The acceptance of the NACS by a growing number of automakers is not just a victory for Tesla but for the entire EV industry. A universal charging standard simplifies the charging experience for all EV drivers, further encouraging the transition from internal combustion engines to electric power. Rivian's commitment to the NACS illustrates the company's acknowledgment of this fact, despite its previous endeavours to build its charging network.
The push towards a standardized charging infrastructure could catalyze wider EV adoption by mitigating the charging-related anxieties of potential EV buyers. As more and more car manufacturers follow suit in recognizing Tesla's NACS, the overall landscape of the EV industry is set to change drastically.
This trend may also play a pivotal role in promoting the collaboration and unity needed to achieve carbon neutrality goals worldwide. With Rivian joining the bandwagon and other major players likely to follow, Tesla's NACS continues to set the course for the future of EV charging, one plug at a time.
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Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.
Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.
Giga Small Haus
The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.
The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App
The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.
Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage.
With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.
Key Features
Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.
Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.
Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.
Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
How Powerwall Works
Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.
Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.
Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.
Benefits
Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.
Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.
Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.
Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.
Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.
This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.
Acceleration Boost
This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.
The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.
Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.
Should You Buy It?
If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling.
You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.
Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.
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