The first of more than 90 Rivian fast-charging locations opened to other EVs today.
Credit: Rivian
Today, Rivian announced that it is opening up the Rivian Adventure Network of fast chargers to drivers of all other makes of electric vehicles, beginning with its location in Joshua Tree, California. The Joshua Tree Charging Outpost, which has 12 DC fast chargers, is now accessible to any EV with a CCS1 charging port, as well as any Tesla or EV equipped with a native NACS (J3400) port using an adapter. A planned hardware upgrade in the future will add native NACS cables. (Rivian is switching the plugs on its own EVs from CCS1 to NACS in 2025.)
Rivian revealed its plans in early 2021 to build charging stations, a few months before it let us loose in the R1T electric pickup. The Rivian Adventure Network currently has deployed banks of fast chargers at 91 sites across the US, with another 12 in the works. (A separate Rivian Waypoint Network is building out level 2 chargers with J1772 plugs.)
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All but one of the Adventure Network sites have at least six DC fast chargers, although until now, all have been the preserve of Rivians alone. In total, the automaker plans to have 3,500 DC fast chargers in the Adventure Network.
“Since the beginning, we’ve understood that creating great products like the R1T and R1S only made up half the equation,” said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “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.”
To begin with, only the Joshua Tree Outpost will be open to non-Rivian EVs. In addition to the chargers—and we think some restrooms—the Outpost also has a lounge and library for drivers to wait in while they charge, as well as a selection of Rivian merch for purchase.
Rivian notes that the new chargers—which are rated at 900 V, meet the design and siting requirements set out under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure programs created by US President Joe Biden to disburse federal money to states to build out EV charging infrastructure in the US. By opening up to non-Rivian EVs, the network becomes eligible to apply for funding under those programs.
