Living with a Rivian: One Man’s Real-World EV Experience

Rivian R1S Electric SUV

There’s a lot of hype around electric vehicles. But what’s it really like to live with one?  I sat down with my longtime friend and Charlotte-based chiropractor, Dr. Glenn Jaffe, to find out exactly that. Glenn spent nearly a year driving a Rivian R1S—the futuristic, over-engineered electric SUV from one of the most intriguing startups in the auto world.

If you’ve ever considered buying an EV—or maybe just want to know why some people are falling out of love with them—this is the story you need to hear.

Why Rivian?

Glenn didn’t go electric just to go electric. He was drawn to Rivian’s engineering philosophy, independent spirit, and beautifully designed vehicles. Unlike Tesla, Rivian set out to build electric adventure vehicles with premium build quality from day one. Their R1S SUV checked a lot of boxes for a busy dad with teenage kids and a trunk full of softball gear.

He was impressed by the brand’s attention to detail and resistance to cutting corners—something early Teslas were often guilty of. Plus, the R1S had three rows of seating, over 800 horsepower, and a seriously cool factor. It even came with a frunk—a front trunk with a drain plug, perfect for tailgating or storing ice and drinks.

Buying a Rivian: The Process

Rivian doesn’t operate traditional dealerships. Instead, they use a direct-to-consumer model similar to Tesla’s, offering a handful of high-end showroom "spaces" and delivery options. Glenn never even test-drove the car before buying it. He ordered it online, and the vehicle was delivered right to his driveway—on a car carrier full of other Rivians, no less. A Rivian guide spent 90 minutes walking him through every feature.

Overall, it was a concierge-style experience—one that traditional car buyers rarely get.

What He Loved

Let’s start with the fun stuff: the R1S delivered an exhilarating driving experience. With four motors producing over 800 hp, it had insane acceleration. It handled better than some sports cars, thanks to its adaptive suspension and low center of gravity.

The tech was also impressive. Glenn used his phone as a key—walk up, and the car greets you. Walk away, and it locks itself. The frunk was massive, and the Rivian’s app-controlled everything from charging to ride height.

It even came in handy during a power outage. Glenn was able to run an extension cord from the car to power his fridge after a hurricane knocked out electricity in Charlotte. Try doing that with a Corolla.

But Then Reality Set In

Despite the thrills, there were drawbacks—starting with cold weather. EVs lose significant range when it’s cold, and Glenn experienced that firsthand. A 90-mile trip to Greensboro in 37-degree weather drained the battery by more than 150 miles. And recharging in the cold? Think molasses through a funnel.

Then came the longer trips. A weekend in Wilmington revealed how underdeveloped the charging infrastructure is outside major metro areas. Charging was slow, chargers were hard to find, and when he did find one, it didn’t work—requiring restarts, app downloads, and multiple attempts to get electrons flowing. And no, the promised adapter to use Tesla chargers never arrived.

All of this added up to what Glenn described as "not quite ready for prime time." Around-town driving? No problem. But road trips? That’s where things got complicated.

The Final Dealbreakers

While the range and infrastructure issues were inconvenient, they weren’t dealbreakers on their own. The bigger issues came down to cost and convenience:

• Insurance: At $2,400 a year, the Rivian was outrageously expensive to insure.

• Price tag: Glenn had locked in a lower price thanks to ordering early, but the vehicle still cost significantly more than most.

• Service logistics: The nearest service center was in Atlanta. When his Rivian needed repairs, he had to make two 8-hour round trips.

Add it all up, and the Rivian just didn’t make sense for Glenn’s lifestyle anymore. So he sold it.

Life After EV: Enter the Hybrid

Glenn traded his Rivian for a top-trim Kia Carnival Hybrid, and he’s loving it. With reclining second-row seats, plenty of space, and nearly 35 mpg on road trips, it offers comfort, practicality, and peace of mind. No range anxiety. No app crashes. No searching for chargers. Just gas, go, and get there.

Hybrids may not be as flashy as EVs, but for many families, they’re the sweet spot between performance and practicality—especially in places where EV infrastructure is still catching up.

Final Thoughts

Glenn’s experience highlights a larger trend we’re seeing across the country: early EV adopters are reevaluating. And while EV technology continues to improve, the charging infrastructure and ownership experience still leave a lot to be desired—especially outside of California and New York.

If you’re considering an electric vehicle, do your homework. Know your driving habits, your local infrastructure, and what kind of support your chosen brand offers. And remember—there’s no shame in deciding it’s just not the right fit.

🎧 Want the full story from Glenn himself? Listen to the podcast episode on The Straight Shift here or wherever you get your shows.