Rivian R1T Driver Claims a BMW X3 Owner Told Him EVs Are “Impossible to Charge” and Require “Removing the Battery,” Forcing Him to Explain That His 420-Mile Truck Makes San Diego-to-Vegas Easily on a Single Charge

There are trucks that blend invisibly into the national landscape, and there are trucks that function like a flare shot into the sky. The Rivian R1T falls squarely into the second category. It is the rare modern vehicle that invites conversation not with volume but with presence. It turns a simple Costco run into a minor cultural summit meeting, the sort of scene that reveals where American car talk stands today.

One such moment was captured by R1T owner Gar'ron Rich, who shared the full encounter in a Rivian owners group. What began as two people loading groceries soon became an impromptu debate about electric vehicles. Rich wrote on Facebook:
 

 "I live in San Diego, and I was leaving Costco when this guy parked next to me was loading his BMW X3 SUV at the same time I was.

HIM: Oh, is that company still in business?

ME: Yes, they are, and based right out of Illinois.

HIM: Nice truck. I could never go fully electric. Hybrid, but not electric.

ME: Why not? What’s your hesitation?

HIM: There are not enough places to charge.

ME: Rivian shares Tesla's network of chargers; also, you can charge at home.

HIM: Well, I mean, when I travel.

ME: There are over 200K public/shared chargers in California that can be used as well.

Another guy walks by as I am loading things in the frunk and says, “Really nice truck.” I said thanks and told him to have a look around if he liked.

He really likes it and comments on the look.

The first guy again: Well, they don’t go far enough for me.

ME: The dual-motor version goes 420 miles, which is slightly less than your car.

HIM: That’s not far at all.

2nd guy: That won’t get you to Las Vegas.

ME: Yes, it will. Vegas is roughly 350 miles from San Diego. Also, I’ve been back and forth to LA and Palm Springs without having to charge at all.

HIM: Well, it has too much maintenance. You have to drop the battery every time you take it in for a tune-up.

At this point, I realize this guy has no clue about EVs.

2nd guy: Thanks, enjoy your day, and walks off.

ME: Actually, there are no tune-ups. The battery is never removed unless it needs to be replaced. The maintenance is just tires.

HIM: Well, there still are not enough places to charge, and I have better things to do than sit for an hour charging.

ME: These vehicles will get you about 150 miles in 20 minutes, and most chargers are located where you can grab something to eat while you wait.

HIM: I have better things to do.

ME: Okay, have a good day.

I kept my cool and just pointed things out to him because it was obvious he was either jealous/or had no idea how EVs work.

Or maybe he thought I was a guy who drives a nice vehicle and knows nothing about them or the company. Um, HELLO, anyone who buys an EV has some knowledge and has done their homework to know what to expect."

Parking lots have always been accidental forums, but this was a full panel discussion. The BMW driver stepped through familiar objections that many EV owners have heard more than once. Rich answered each one with patient clarity, a kind of calm fact-checking that reveals the shifting landscape of automotive knowledge. Some comments under his post noted a pattern many EV drivers recognize. Many critics of electric vehicles have never lived with one, yet speak with surprising assurance. Experience tends to soften opinions, while unfamiliarity often sharpens them.

Rivian R1T: America’s SUV

• Rivian developed the R1T as a fully electric adventure-oriented pickup, targeting buyers who wanted capability, off-road skill, and zero-emission driving in one package.
• The R1T stands out with features like quad-motor options, a large battery pack, and ample storage, making it one of the most versatile electric trucks currently available.
• U.S. electric-truck sales have grown steadily but still represent a small share of overall truck sales, with early adopters driving demand while mainstream customers evaluate charging access and long-term ownership costs.
• Rivian’s entry helped expand the segment, pushing larger automakers to accelerate their own EV truck strategies and adding real competition to a still-emerging market.

Other stories shared in the discussion highlighted a different tone. Those encounters were friendly and rooted in genuine curiosity. They suggested that when questions come from a place of honest interest, conversations about EVs can be enlightening rather than contentious. The Costco incident, by comparison, showed how quickly the topic can become tangled when concerns shift faster than they can be addressed.

The R1T itself contributes to this dynamic. It has the visual magnetism and technical intrigue to draw people in. Its dual motor range of 420 miles rivals that of traditional internal combustion SUVs, while fast charging can add well over a hundred miles in the time it takes to grab lunch. Owners like Rich rely on these real-world numbers because they represent how the truck lives day to day, not how it looks on a spec sheet. Some commenters joked that even if roads charged vehicles wirelessly as they drove, certain skeptics would still find a reason to hold back. That reveals something deeper about how people process technological change.

Maintenance misconceptions proved to be the most telling part of the BMW driver’s objections. Rich had to explain that battery removal for routine service is not a thing, nor is any sort of electric equivalent to traditional tune-ups. EV maintenance schedules are simple enough to fit on a notepad. Tires, cabin filters, and little else. This simplicity still surprises people who have spent a lifetime with oil intervals and spark plug charts. The surprise can turn into doubt, especially for those who feel more comfortable with systems they have known for decades.

What Rich demonstrated, knowingly or not, is that R1T ownership comes with an unspoken responsibility. You may only be trying to load your groceries, yet you become an ambassador for a new kind of truck. The goal is not to convert anyone but simply to provide accurate information and a real-world perspective. One commenter noted that many new EV owners also arrive with questions, so education is part of the culture from the beginning. Clarity spreads, even if slowly, one parking lot conversation at a time.

The R1T forces these conversations because it stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation. It looks rugged enough to belong next to any pickup on the road, yet it represents a future that is still unfamiliar to many drivers. That tension creates the spark. The Rivian does exactly that. If anything, Rich’s experience shows that the truck is accomplishing more than moving people from place to place. It is moving the conversation forward. And if the road to acceptance runs through Costco, San Diego seems like as good a starting line as any.

Image Sources: Rivian Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.