Rivian R3X and R2 owners won't be 'jerks' at Superchargers as Tesla preps NACS extension cable

According to the Rivian R3X and R3 promo images, as well as the R2 prototype on stage when CEO RJ Scaringe announced them, their charging port will be moved.

Instead of the current CCS port at the front left, the next Rivian vehicles will come with a NACS port at the rear right so that they can plug into Tesla Superchargers directly.

While Rivian fans loved the design, specs, and even the suggested prices of the R3X, R2, and R3, there was an immediate outcry about the NACS port location. Instead of rear left like on Tesla vehicles, it is located on the rear right where most Supercharger cables won't reach.

Rivian argues that not all electric cars need to do what Tesla does. It is also of the opinion that when the R2 launches, the charging infrastructure will be developed enough so that the charging port location won't matter as much as it does now. Tesla's chief Cybertruck engineer Wes Morrill begs to differ:

I know the Rivian Network has been installed to support the front left/rear right, but there are <500 Adventure Network fast charge handles vs more than 50,000 Supercharger handles. You’ve done the right thing for customers moving to NACS. Take it the last mile and put it in a location that works seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Can be the front right if you are trying to optimize for street parking. Looking forward to charging harmoniously with a great-looking EV.

Even in 2026, a lot of Tesla chargers would still be of the V2/V3 variety, while the V4 Superchargers with the longer cable running on the outside of the pile are just now being installed at new locations. Ford's EVs recently became the first to get direct Supercharger access, and Tesla updated its app and support site to reflect that taking two parking spots while charging non-Tesla cars may be necessary because of their port locations.

Most Supercharger cables at NACS Supercharger sites should be able to reach your EV charge port, however, in some cases you might have to park over the line in order to charge comfortably. Avoid parking diagonally to reach the cable and try to obstruct as few charge posts as possible. Charge port locations vary by EV model, which requires cable sharing between adjacent stalls at many sites. Tesla is rapidly deploying our latest V4 Supercharger post which reaches all EVs in the same Supercharger stall. Additionally, we encourage all vehicle manufacturers to standardize charge port locations to the rear driver side or front passenger side.

On that last note, Wes kept piling on with the warning that "this location will forever doom all Rivian owners to be the jerk taking two spots at a Tesla charger..."

Tesla, however, is already working on a solution, so Rivian might be right to keep its R2 and R3 charging ports where it wants them. After it opened its Supercharger network to other EVs, first from Ford and soon from Rivian, Tesla updated its charging instructions to announce that it is "working on a NACS to NACS extension cable, which will be available for purchase in the future."

Mum's the word on the exact price, extension cord length, or release date of said cable, but it could be the ultimate solution to prevent overcrowding or heated arguments at Supercharger locations once other EVs start proliferating there. 

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