Rivian R1S Home Charging: When Does a Second Portable Charger Make Sense?

TL;DR

Most Rivian R1S owners already have the Rivian Portable Charger that came with the vehicle (40A at 240V with included adapters). A second portable Level 2 charger makes sense if you (a) need charging at a second location — cabin, workplace, in-laws' house, (b) want a charger permanently in your trunk for travel without unpacking your primary charger daily, or (c) share your current charger with another EV in the household. For the R1S specifically, 32A continuous charging covers typical daily driving overnight; the Rivian cord's higher 40A rate is useful mainly for near-empty same-day turnaround on R1S's larger battery.

Which situation describes you?

Pick the row that matches your setup.

Recall / safety-notice check: before following any overnight-charging advice, verify your specific VIN's current recall status at NHTSA's recall lookup and the manufacturer's owner support portal.

When a second portable charger is actually useful

Rivian ships the R1S with a portable charger as standard equipment. It's a 40A unit at 240V with a NEMA 14-50 plug and includes additional adapters for other outlets per Rivian documentation. For most owners, this covers daily home charging without needing a second EVSE.

Scenarios where a second portable adds real value

• Second home / vacation property / cabin: leaving the Rivian cord at your primary residence and keeping a second portable at the second location eliminates "did I pack the charger?" friction.
• Workplace parking with a dedicated NEMA 14-50: install-free charging at the office — same spec as home, no need to carry a cord daily.
• Travel kit permanently in the trunk: road trips to destinations with NEMA 14-50 (RV parks, EV-ready rentals) are smoother when the travel charger stays in the vehicle.
• Shared household charger scheduling: if two EVs rotate on one charger, dedicated second equipment ends the schedule conflict.

Scenarios where a second portable is probably unnecessary

• Daily driving under 60 miles, single location: the Rivian cord handles this without issue; a second portable adds expense without a specific need.
• You already have a hardwired home EVSE: your Rivian cord is already the travel/backup unit.

About charging rates: the Rivian cord's 40A rate delivers approximately 9.6 kW at 240V, versus the WenStorm 32A portable's 7.68 kW. The practical difference is about 25% more power per hour — meaningful when charging a near-empty battery on a short parking window, less meaningful for typical daily top-ups.

If you need a second portable Level 2 charger

For R1S owners who need a second-location or travel charger, the WenStorm 32A J1772 portable (through 2024 US) is a $219.99 option. Verify your inlet (J1772 for pre-2025, NACS for 2025+) before buying.

J1772 + NACS

Portable Level 2 · For an existing NEMA 14-50 outlet

WenStorm Level 2 Portable Charger

Fixed-output charger — the 32A rate is set in firmware and cannot be adjusted on the device or by the vehicle.

32A fixed 7.7 kW 240V

Requires a dedicated 50A branch circuit

Choose J1772 or NACS variant at checkout

25 ft cable · 2-year WenStorm warranty

Price

$219.99

Get the Portable Charger

When the WenStorm portable is NOT the right fit

• You already have the Rivian Portable Charger that came with your R1S. Keep it as your primary. The 40A rate is above the WenStorm 32A portable; only add a second portable for second-location or travel-kit use.
• You need the full 40A rate the Rivian cord delivers. The WenStorm 32A portable caps at 32A. If 40A is your target, keep your Rivian cord.
• You need faster than 32A continuous charging. The WenStorm 32A portable caps at 32A. For higher rates, a hardwired 48A EVSE on a dedicated 60A circuit is required. WenStorm does not sell a hardwired 48A product today.
• You only have 120V outlet access. The 32A portable requires 240V on a NEMA 14-50. Consider a Level 1 portable instead.
• You rent and cannot install a 240V outlet. Level 1 on an existing 120V dedicated circuit may be the practical answer; some employers offer workplace Level 2.
• You need to extend reach between the EVSE and your parking spot. See our EV Extension Cable Buyer's Guide for the vehicle-side extension path and its manufacturer-permission requirements.

Related Reading

• J1772 vs NACS: What's Actually Changing in 2026 — connector-standard transition context
• One EV Charger for NACS and J1772 Cars: 4 Home Options — multi-vehicle household guide
• EV Extension Cable Buyer's Guide — if the EVSE doesn't quite reach your parking spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How many amps does the R1S accept on AC?

The Rivian R1S accepts up to 48A on 240V AC per Rivian documentation. The included Rivian Portable Charger delivers 40A; a hardwired 48A EVSE on a dedicated 60A circuit unlocks the vehicle's full AC acceptance rate. Verify your specific model year in your owner's manual.

Does the Rivian R1S come with a portable charger?

Yes — Rivian ships a Portable Charger with the R1S as standard equipment, delivering 40A at 240V with a NEMA 14-50 plug.

Can I use my Tesla Mobile Connector on the R1S?

If your R1S has a J1772 inlet (through 2024 US), you need a NACS-to-J1772 vehicle-side adapter approved by both Tesla and Rivian. Verify permitted use with your specific equipment's documentation.

Will my R1S transition to NACS?

Rivian has announced NACS adoption for 2025 model year vehicles. Verify your specific MY and trim in your owner's manual or Rivian support.

Sources

1. Your Rivian R1S owner's manual for your specific model year — authoritative for AC acceptance rate and included charging equipment.
2. Rivian R1S product page.
3. Rivian Portable Charger documentation.
4. NHTSA Recalls VIN lookup — authoritative for active recalls affecting a specific VIN.
5. NEC 210.19(A)(1) and 210.20(A) — Continuous-load sizing (branch circuit ≥ 125% of continuous current). National Electrical Code, current edition; consult your local Authority Having Jurisdiction.
6. WenStorm Level 2 Portable EV Charger product page.