Rivian has just opened the second of its new lineup of Charging Outposts, where EV owners can recharge, replenish, and, in true Rivian fashion, make their own trail mix. The new site, located in Joshua Tree, California, is the first Rivian Charging Outpost offering access to all EV makes and models as the American automaker works to expand the availability of its charging network throughout the US.
Rivian is doing its part to push EV adoption forward by opening up its previously exclusive Adventure Charging Network to all EVs, following the likes of Tesla. Since Rivian began selling and delivering its flagship R1 EV models, it has been expanding an exclusive network of chargers for its drivers, especially in areas within or near national parks – on brand with the company ethos of getting out and exploring nature.
Rivian’s plans for its Adventure Network include over 3,500 DC fast chargers stationed at approximately 600 sites along popular routes and highways, enabling EV owners to add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes. That process currently sits at 91 sites that provide access to around 700 chargers.
In July, Rivian announced a new EV Charging station design called an “Outpost.” This station features a lounge area with an on-site library, branded merchandise, a “make your own” trail mix available for purchase, complimentary coffee, and a water bottle refill station.
The first Rivian Outpost opened outside of Yosemite National Park over the summer, offering branded EV owners a retreat to relax and 24-hour access to its EV fast chargers. Today, Rivian has opened its second Outpost location in Joshua Tree, and it is the first to offer EV charging to all models, not just those donning the Rivian badge.
Rivian offers EV charging to all, beginning in Joshua Tree
We hinted at today’s news in late November, after Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said that the Adventure Network would soon offer EV charging access to all EV makes and models “very soon” and that it would be “awesome.”
Scaringe echoed plans shared by Rivian back in April that it was ready to open its network to other EVs and would do so before the end of 2024. The American automaker has made good on its promise, but the initial rollout to provide EV charging to non-Rivian models will start small, beginning in Joshua Tree, California.
Top comment by GRA
The original announcement from Scaringe implied that they'd be opening the Adventure Network including all the existing stations to all EVs, not just new, fancy Outposts. I travel to/through Yosemite fairly often, and while the Outpost in Groveland would provide some redundancy if it were open to all (I normally use the EA station 11 miles east in Buck Meadows; there's also a couple of Chargepoint FCs in Groveland), the really valuable Rivian station for me and many others driving east/west through Yosemite would be the one in Lee Vining, at the junction of SR 120 and US 395. This is not only the eastern gateway town to Yosemite, it's also extremely valuable for everyone heading north/south on 395 for recreation between Bridgeport and Mammoth Lakes.
There is an EA station in Bridgeport 26 miles north and a V3 SC station in Mammoth Lakes 28 miles south, and EA has a Coming Soon site there as well, but for everyone doing hiking/backpacking/climbing etc. trips in between, Lee Vining is needed as it's 80 miles from Buck Meadows and 91 from Groveland, and you have to climb over Tioga Pass (9,941') enroute.
Aside from the Rivian-only AN station in Lee Vining the only other public charging there is provided by a couple of free L2s in the park. They are useful and have saved more than a few trips, but they are hardly adequate given that the SF Bay Area 200 miles west has the highest % of PEV sales in the state, and L2 imposes a big time penalty for anyone just trying to pass through.
Rivian’s latest Charging Outpost opened to the public today and is the first to feature a new charger design to accommodate any compatible EV in North America. These chargers can deliver charging rates up to 900 volts via CCS connectors and are also compatible with North American Charging Standard (NACS)-equipped vehicles using an automaker-approved adapter.
Rivian said that support for native NACS connectors, also known as SAE J3400, will come with a future hardware update. Each new charger also includes a larger display and a tap-to-pay feature for use with or without the Rivian mobile app. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe spoke about the milestone:
Since the beginning, we’ve understood that creating great products like the R1T and R1S only made up half the equation. To achieve widespread electrification, you also need a really good charging network. Now, we’re excited to bring the Rivian Adventure Network–with its ease of use and exceptional reliability–to other EV drivers around North America, investing in a future where charging on the road will be simple, sustainable, and convenient.
Today’s Outpost opening kicks off Rivian’s expansion of EV charging for all EV models, which, according to the automaker, will continue this year with additional charging locations in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York.
This is big news for EV owners as they will gain access to yet another previously exclusive charging New York. Rivian’s Adventure Network may still be small compared to an industry veteran like Tesla. Still, anyone who has made a road trip in an EV will agree that the more public charging access available, the better. Please send us a pic of your custom trail mix; we want to see what you’re working with!
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