4 Three-Row Electrical SUVs Raced From Colorado To Vegas. Charging Acquired Difficult

The Out of Spec YouTube channel has a big library of electrical car comparability movies. Their long-distance races particularly do an amazing job highlighting every car platform’s greatest options and the place they fall quick. For this newest race, the crew is pitting massive, three-row SUVs in opposition to each other in a simulation of a standard household street journey. 

The primary competitor is the Rivian R1S. This can be a first-generation instance, not the up to date 2025 mannequin. However vary and efficiency must be related within the second-generation models. With a 140+ kWh battery and 400 miles of EPA vary, the Rivian has probably the most long-distance functionality out of the gate. 

On this video, hosts Jordan and Andreas are driving the Rivian they usually plan to keep away from Electrify America stations, prioritizing the Rivian Journey Community and the Tesla Superchargers. Rivian’s automobiles can now use these chargers with an adapter.

The Tesla Mannequin X on this competitors is the 100 kWh Lengthy Vary model with the aero wheels. Whereas the Mannequin X was the primary three-row SUV available on the market, this explicit instance doesn’t embody a 3rd row. In addition to native entry to Tesla’s dependable Supercharger community, this automobile additionally has the best peak cost velocity right here of 250 kW.

Ryan and Lacey are piloting the Tesla and can attempt to keep on the decrease finish of the battery pack to reap the benefits of the height cost charge. 

The Kia EV9 is probably the most inexpensive three-row electrical available on the market, even geared up with the big 100 kWh battery pack. Whereas the EV9’s peak cost speeds are decrease than the Mannequin X, the upper voltage battery can maintain a charging velocity larger than 200 kW as much as an 80% state of cost. 

Max and Domenick are manning the Kia and shall be aiming to all the time cost at 350kW Electrify America stations to reap the benefits of the EV9’s glorious cost curve. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is by far probably the most luxurious right here, with a snug inside and modern design. Regardless of being rated for “solely” 330 miles of EPA vary, the Mercedes exceeded the EPA vary by 50 miles in Out of Spec’s freeway take a look at, simply toppling the R1S in a side-by-side comparability. Drew and Kyle shall be road-tripping within the EQS and plan to take advantage of this surprisingly lengthy freeway driving vary.

The route for this street journey begins on the Out of Spec workplaces in Fort Collins, CO, about an hour from Denver, and can finish at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Nobody is allowed to exceed 10 mph over the velocity restrict and the max driving velocity is 85 mph.  

The EV9 crew determined to make their first cease at Glenwood Springs which was about 220 miles from the beginning of the race. They briefly thought-about pushing on to Grand Junction. Nevertheless, doing so would have required a discount in velocity that may have put them into final place behind the Mannequin X.

This was most likely the correct resolution for them, however they expressed frustration with the truth that the CCS station was positioned over a mile from the freeway. Fortunately, their cost session began and not using a hitch and the automobile was nonetheless pulling 220 kW whereas 70% charged. Sadly, Electrify America could also be getting higher, nevertheless it’s not with out its points nonetheless. Two of the stations had been out of service. However after a cost session of simply over 10 minutes, they had been again on the street once more. 

After watching the arrival share and estimated vary drop on the Mannequin X, the Tesla crew determined to show off their A/C early within the race in to make their most well-liked charging cease in Parachute, CO which went off and not using a hitch. However to achieve Inexperienced River, they wanted to cost again to about 60%. So each crew members watched impatiently because the charging speeds tapered right down to 150 kW. To enhance charging speeds on this sizzling summer season day, additionally they used the previous moist rag on the deal with trick.

The Rivian crew had its personal problems, primarily with the truck’s software program. The route planner was initially sending them off on an odd route that may have added a number of minutes to their cost cease. However the scenario worsened once they arrived on the charger to seek out all models occupied and one out of service. In the meantime, Rivian’s software program claimed that 4 out of the six chargers had been obtainable.

It wasn’t lengthy earlier than one of many stations cleared up. However after initiating a cost, the cost charge was restricted to 90 kW for fairly a while. After one other shared charging station started ramping down, the Rivian crew’s station ultimately began to ramp up in velocity.

The EQS crew determined to barely cut back their common freeway velocity and speed up gently for the primary leg of the journey. They had been hoping to push their first cease to Inexperienced River however in the end determined to cease on the Grand Junction, CO station. Right here, they needed to bribe a Kia Niro EV driver to surrender one of many 350 kW models.

Mercedes EQS Out of Spec Highway Journey

The Mercedes’ charging speeds ramped as much as 180 kW shortly however all of the sudden stopped charging simply minutes later. They had been capable of provoke a second session, however this time the car solely ramped as much as 150 kW with the automobile stating that the charging station was restricted.

In true Out of Spec style, this 2.5-hour video is just Half 1 of the race. So we’ll simply have to attend to see which automobile comes out on high. However it’s an fascinating demonstration of the assorted conditions EV drivers discover themselves in when road-tripping lengthy distances; one route is rarely the identical twice.

Have you ever pushed this route by Colorado to Las Vegas your self? Does it sometimes go easily for you or have you ever encountered related conditions with the charging {hardware} in your journey? Tell us your expertise within the feedback under.