40 amp vs 48 amp charger for a Rivian R1S
For the trims below, EPA data shows the car accepts more than a 40 A charger delivers (9.6 kW). A 48 A charger (11.52 kW) saves up to about 2.9 hours on an empty-to-full charge (estimate). It needs a 60 A breaker instead of 50 A.
Per trim
| Trim | Empty→full at 40 A | Empty→full at 48 A | Miles per 8 h at 40 A | Miles per 8 h at 48 A | Why we think it accepts more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 R1S Premium (22in) | 13.5 h | 11.3–12.0 h | 194 mi | 233 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.8 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Large (22in) | 13.5 h | 11.3–12.0 h | 194 mi | 233 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.8 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Large (22in) | 13.5 h | 11.3–12.0 h | 194 mi | 233 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.8 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Premium Long Range (22in) | 17.0 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 192 mi | 231 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Standard (22in) | 11.2 h | 9.4–9.5 h | 192 mi | 231 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.3 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Max (22in) | 17.0 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 192 mi | 231 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Max (22in) | 17.0 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 192 mi | 231 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Large Plus (22in) | 14.1 h | 11.7–12.0 h | 188 mi | 225 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.2 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Large Plus (22in) | 14.1 h | 11.7–12.0 h | 188 mi | 225 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.2 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Premium Long Range (20in) | 16.6 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 183 mi | 219 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.6 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Max (20in) | 16.6 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 183 mi | 219 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.6 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Max (20in) | 16.6 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 183 mi | 219 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.6 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Premium (20in) | 13.4 h | 11.2–12.0 h | 179 mi | 215 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Standard (20in) | 11.5 h | 9.6–9.5 h | 179 mi | 215 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Large (20in) | 13.4 h | 11.2–12.0 h | 179 mi | 215 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Large (20in) | 13.4 h | 11.2–12.0 h | 179 mi | 215 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Dual Large Plus (20in) | 14.2 h | 11.9–12.0 h | 178 mi | 214 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Performance Dual Large Plus (20in) | 14.2 h | 11.9–12.0 h | 178 mi | 214 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Premium Long Range (20in AT) | 16.7 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 178 mi | 213 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Dual Max (20in) | 16.7 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 178 mi | 213 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Max (20in) | 16.7 h | 13.9–15.0 h | 178 mi | 213 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Premium (20in AT) | 13.4 h | 11.1–12.0 h | 173 mi | 208 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Quad (22in) | 17.3 h | 14.4–14.0 h | 173 mi | 208 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Dual Large (20in) | 13.4 h | 11.1–12.0 h | 173 mi | 208 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large (20in) | 13.4 h | 11.1–12.0 h | 173 mi | 208 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.7 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Quad Max (22in) | 17.3 h | 14.4–14.0 h | 173 mi | 208 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Performance (22in) | 17.2 h | 14.4–15.0 h | 172 mi | 207 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.0 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Tri Max (22in) | 17.2 h | 14.4–15.0 h | 172 mi | 207 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.0 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Dual Large Plus (20in) | 14.3 h | 11.9–12.0 h | 164 mi | 197 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus (20in) | 14.3 h | 11.9–12.0 h | 164 mi | 197 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Performance (20in) | 17.0 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 163 mi | 196 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Quad (22in UHP) | 16.7 h | 13.9–14.0 h | 162 mi | 195 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Quad Max (22in UHP) | 16.7 h | 13.9–14.0 h | 162 mi | 195 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.4 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Performance (20in AT) | 17.1 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 154 mi | 185 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S All-Terrain Tri Max (20in) | 17.1 h | 14.2–15.0 h | 154 mi | 185 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 10.9 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2027 R1S Quad (20in AT) | 17.0 h | 14.1–14.0 h | 153 mi | 184 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.6 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
| 2026 R1S Quad Max (20in AT) | 17.0 h | 14.1–14.0 h | 153 mi | 184 mi (max) | EPA 240 V time implies an average of 11.6 kW, so it must accept more than 9.6 kW at times |
Estimates: energy for the full EPA range (kWh/100 mi × range ÷ 100, at the wall) ÷ charging power. Where EPA states the onboard charger we cap at it. Otherwise the 48 A figure is a range: from full 11.52 kW down to the average power implied by EPA's 240 V time, because the true onboard limit isn't in EPA data. Real charging tapers near 100%. Vehicle data: fueleconomy.gov.
Does it matter day to day?
Most drivers plug in overnight and rarely charge from empty. Both chargers add 194+ miles in 8 hours for the most efficient qualifying trim. The 48 A option mainly helps with long daily drives, short charging windows on time-of-use plans, or sharing one charger between two cars. The bigger circuit can cost more to install (wire size, panel capacity), and that cost isn't in our data.
Certified chargers at each size
ENERGY STAR lists 20 featured 40 A and 26 featured 48 A chargers: 40 A chargers · 48 A chargers · breaker sizes. Most can be set to a lower current if your panel can't supply 60 A.
All Rivian R1S charging times · Calculator
Not electrical advice; use a licensed electrician.