Using an electric vehicle, you might find that a simple wall socket becomes your greatest ally. I discovered this during my journey with the Rivian R1T.
Let's be real for a second: nobody wants to sit around and wait hours and hours for their electric vehicle to charge. The fear of long charging times, along with nowhere to actually do it, is what scares many people away from owning an EV. And certainly, the time it takes to charge from a standard wall outlet—which might take ranging anywhere from 60 to 200 hours Depending on the vehicle—it isn't particularly reassuring.
Many electric vehicle owners charge their cars at home using quicker Level 2 chargers, which fully power their vehicles within hours rather than days. Some others depend on public DC fast-charging stations for rapid refueling during regular commutes or long journeys. Nonetheless, every EV has the capability to connect to a typical 120-volt household electrical socket. The question remains: how practical is this option?
In fact, it's really quite good, despite what you might think. I discovered this during my road trip. to the remote western Texan desert in a 2025 Rivian R1T That experience made me realize that what’s known as Level 1 charging, which is the slowest type of electric vehicle charging available, can be incredibly helpful—provided you utilize it properly.
Actually, using wall charging was a lifesaver during this trip. Let me explain why.
( Full Disclosure: Rivian lent me an R1T for a journey during the 2024 winter break.
During the holiday season, I traveled approximately 400 miles from San Antonio to Marfa, a distant town in Texas close to the Mexican border. Given what you might expect, electric vehicle charging stations are scarce in this area. The nearest option was at a nearby hotel near my accommodation, which offered a Level 2 charger; however, it was exclusively for their guests. While I likely could have persuaded them to let me use it occasionally, I preferred not to impose.
No, I usually don't park like this. But there was nobody nearby.
My safest option was the Tesla Supercharger station located in the town of Alpine. I frequently utilized this during my journey due to the adapter provided with the Rivian vehicle. However, even this station was situated 30 miles away prior to accounting for any reductions in range once you exit onto the highway. opposite The direction towards everything I love doing outside of Marfa. To put it briefly, whatever that entailed resulted in a broad impact nearly immediately after leaving the parking area.
Fortunately for me, Rivian provided a portable wall charger as well. I opted to connect the R1T to it when it was stationed in the driveway. As expected, it turned out to be exactly what I required.
Stage 1 Charging: Understanding What Awaits You
A typical 120-volt household electrical socket usually delivers between 1 and 2 kilowatts (kW) of power. This equates to approximately three to five miles of driving distance added each hour.
With a 149-kilowatt-hour battery pack (of which 140 kilowatt-hours are usable), similar to the one in my R1T Dual Motor Max Pack test unit, you would expect approximately 30 to 40 hours to recharge from 20% to 80% of its capacity It depends on the speed. In the best case, around 2 kilowatts of electricity per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity. Does that make sense?
That's significantly lower compared to my personal ChargePoint Level 2 charger, which maintains an output of 7.2 kW. This allows me to fully recharge my Kia EV6, equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery, within approximately 10 hours; however, I usually manage this in about five or six hours. I have never let the car’s battery drain completely down to 0%, nor do I plan to do so.
2025 Rivian R1T Review
If you’re new to electric vehicles, you might dismiss Level 1 home charging as being too sluggish. However, keep this in mind: What does your vehicle do for the majority of the day? It’s simply stationary and parked.
As it remains stationary, this indicates that you can recharge it. This is somewhat like a hidden superpower for electric vehicles (EVs) that not many discuss. In contrast to gasoline cars, which require you to go out and refuel, with an EV, for 95% of the time the vehicle remains stationary , it can continue charging its battery as long as it remains close to a power source.
2025 Rivian R1T Review
This proved incredibly helpful for me. During my travels, I didn’t spend every moment behind the wheel. Instead, I explored towns on foot, visited local attractions, dined and drank with loved ones, or snapped pictures. Just like any car would do, the R1T remained parked quite often throughout the day. So, I thought why not let it charge while it was idle.
It proved highly beneficial. By simply plugging into a regular wall outlet, I managed to gain an additional 30 to 40 miles of range each day, with much of this occurring during the night while I slept. Since I never let the battery drain completely, I avoided having to recharge from zero percent all the time. Additionally, I could rely on residual charge left over from using the Tesla Supercharger. As such, connecting to the wall outlet guaranteed ample range for my everyday tasks and outings.
I've noticed that electric vehicle (EV) charging doesn’t follow the same “fill it up immediately when empty” approach as with gasoline vehicles. Instead, it’s more focused on ensuring you get just enough charge for your specific needs each time. I didn’t require my R1T to be fully charged daily; rather, I only needed sufficient range to meet my typical travel requirements. By using the wall outlet, I maintained a reliable everyday reserve until I could recharge at a Tesla Supercharger station again. This shift leads EV owners to adopt a more strategic mindset regarding their power consumption, which isn’t necessarily negative.
The additional 30 to 40 miles provided each day through standard home charging were enough to cover much of my journey. This explains why quite a few electric vehicle owners rely solely on Level 1 home charging for their everyday needs. My coworker Kevin Williams has covered this topic thoroughly. He lives in an apartment and frequently opts for slow charging.
Consider individuals who possess a compact electric vehicle equipped with a less sizable battery, or those who use an electric vehicle as their secondary or tertiary mode of transportation mainly for local trips and errands within the city. What reasons might lead them to not Why use a wall outlet, particularly when you don’t require something as quick or expensive as a Level 2 home charger?
Level 1 portable charger
At minimum for me, driving frequently means that having access to a Level 2 charger is essential. Using only a Level 1 charger doesn’t meet my requirements adequately. However, I've started viewing this setup more like an additional resource—an incredibly useful one—that complements my routine. Particularly when traveling or vacationing, this becomes crucial. When venturing into unfamiliar areas where high-speed charging stations might be scarce, I highly advise carrying a transportable wall unit. While it’s not the quickest choice available, possessing even a moderate capability for charging can prevent significant issues compared to having none at all.
I'll include the usual warnings and emphasize that it's crucial to ensure the electrical source you're using for charging is safe and compatible. is secure, contemporary, sturdy and capable of managing the workload . If you're staying at an Airbnb, make sure to confirm with the host whether EV charging is acceptable. It likely won't make their electricity bill significantly higher. .)
Certain manufacturers discourage the use of extension cords for such applications. Using extension cords in prolonged, high-power scenarios can lead to issues. Although an industrial-strength, thick-gauge extension cord might work better, it’s advisable to follow the guidelines provided in your owner's manual first. If doubts persist, consult an electrician regarding safe usage over extended lengths. Do not simply rely on whatever extension cord happens to be available. Level 1 charging definitely helps maintain mobility; however, damaging your charger or causing a fire could exacerbate matters significantly.
As long as safety permits, consider using Level 1 wall charging, particularly during your upcoming electric vehicle road trip. Keep this in mind: whenever it’s stationary, there might be an opportunity to plug in your vehicle somewhere.
2025 Rivian R1T Review
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
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