Rivian R1S: energy use, battery size and what it costs to charge

EPA figures for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Rivian R1S (59 configurations), plus the cost to charge at home in every U.S. state at May 2026 electricity prices.

The Rivian R1S uses 39.65 kWh per 100 miles. Across the 223 electric cars on sale that figure runs from 23.1 to 66.1, which puts this one among the thirstier.

How much does it cost to charge a Rivian R1S?

At the U.S. average residential price of 19.42¢ per kWh, a Rivian R1S costs about $7.70 per 100 miles, $18.70 for a full charge, and $924 a year at 12,000 miles. The same car costs $624 a year in Nevada and $2,508 in Hawaii — a 4.0× difference driven entirely by where you plug in.

Rivian R1S vs. a petrol car

A typical new gasoline midsize or large SUV returns 21 MPG. At $4.32 a gallon — the U.S. average for the week of 2026-09-14, up 14.3% on the year — that is $20.57 per 100 miles against $7.70 for the Rivian R1S on average-priced electricity. Over 12,000 miles the fuel difference is $1,544 a year in favour of the electric car.

Cost to charge a Rivian R1S in every state

Every Rivian R1S configuration compared

Questions people ask about the Rivian R1S

How many kWh per 100 miles does a Rivian R1S use?

The Rivian R1S uses 39.65 kWh per 100 miles on the EPA combined cycle, which works out to 2.52 miles per kWh. Across all 59 EPA-rated configurations it ranges from 39.65 to 52.66 kWh per 100 miles.

How big is the Rivian R1S battery?

Its usable battery capacity works out to roughly 96.3 kWh. EPA does not publish battery size directly, so this is calculated from EPA range (270 miles) and rated energy use, corrected for charging losses — expect a few kWh of error against the manufacturer figure.

How much does it cost to charge a Rivian R1S at home?

About $18.70 for a full charge at the U.S. average residential electricity price of 19.42¢ per kWh, or $7.70 per 100 miles. Over a year at 12,000 miles that is $924. In Nevada the same driving costs $624; in Hawaii it costs $2,508.

How long does a Rivian R1S take to charge on a 240V charger?

EPA rates it at about 9.5 hours for a full charge on a 240-volt (Level 2) charger. A standard 120-volt household outlet takes roughly five to six times longer; DC fast charging is far quicker but costs considerably more per kWh than charging at home.

Is a Rivian R1S cheaper to run than a gasoline car?

On fuel alone, yes. A Rivian R1S costs about $7.70 per 100 miles in electricity. A typical new gasoline midsize or large SUV manages 21 MPG, which at $4.32 a gallon costs $20.57 per 100 miles — $12.87 more. Over 12,000 miles the difference is $1,544 a year in the EV's favour. This compares fuel only — not insurance, depreciation, maintenance or your state's EV registration fee.

Cars to compare it with

Almost identical energy use

These use within a fraction of a kWh per 100 miles of the Rivian R1S, so running cost is effectively a wash between them — the decision comes down to everything else.

Other electric midsize or large SUVs

• Audi Q8 e-tron ultra — 39.19 kWh/100mi
• Cadillac VISTIQ — 39.19 kWh/100mi
• Mercedes-Benz EQS 680 Maybach — 40.12 kWh/100mi
• Audi Q8 e-tron — 38.74 kWh/100mi
• BMW iX xDrive40 — 38.74 kWh/100mi
• Acura ZDX Type S — 40.61 kWh/100mi
• BMW iX xDrive50 — 40.61 kWh/100mi
• Kia EV9 GT-Line — 41.1 kWh/100mi
• Kia EV9 — 37.87 kWh/100mi
• Polestar 3 Pack — 41.61 kWh/100mi

Other Rivian electric cars

• R1S AT — 51.85 kWh/100mi
• R1S All-Terrain — 43.21 kWh/100mi
• R1S Quad — 44.35 kWh/100mi
• R1T — 38.74 kWh/100mi
• R1T AT — 51.85 kWh/100mi
• R1T All-Terrain — 43.21 kWh/100mi
• R1T Quad — 44.35 kWh/100mi
• R2 — 32.1 kWh/100mi

Where these numbers come from

Energy use per 100 miles is 3,370.5 ÷ MPGe, because EPA defines MPGe against 33.705 kWh per gasoline gallon equivalent. EPA meters that energy at the wall, so charging losses are already included.

Usable battery size is EPA range × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × 0.90. The 0.90 corrects for the fact that EPA measures energy at the wall but measures range from the pack; without it the estimate runs about 10% high. It is an estimate, not a manufacturer specification — expect a few kWh of error either way.

Cost assumes home charging at the state's average residential electricity price (EIA, May 2026) and 12,000 miles a year. Public DC fast charging costs considerably more; time-of-use plans can cost less.

The petrol comparison uses the median combined MPG of current regular-gasoline, non-hybrid cars in this car's own EPA vehicle class — not an all-car average — priced at the U.S. average retail price from the EIA weekly series. It counts fuel only.