Rivian has announced that its first Adventure Network charging station is now open to all EV drivers. The opening of the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) kicked off today with the opening of a revamped charging station in Joshua Tree National Park, California.
The station, previously only available to Rivian’s R1T and R1S owners, now serves as a pilot for the company’s broader plan to open its charging network across North America.
Unlike conventional EV chargers typically located in parking lots or highway rest areas, Rivian’s charging stations, dubbed “Outposts,” include amenities such as lounges, libraries, and branded merchandise. At Joshua Tree, visitors can enjoy features like make-your-own trail mix, complimentary coffee, and water bottle refill stations while waiting for their vehicles to charge.
Rivian’s decision to open its charging network aligns with recent federal policies designed to accelerate the EV transition. Federal funding for EV infrastructure requires chargers to be accessible to all EVs, regardless of brand. By opening its network, Rivian can now tap into billions of dollars in potential funding through programs like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative, which will soon be updated to make Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), or J3400, the new standard.
This announcement marks the beginning of Rivian’s extensive rollout. Additional charging sites are planned for states such as Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York by the end of 2024. At the same time, existing stations will undergo retrofits to include NACS-compatible hardware.
Currently, the Rivian Adventure Network is made up of over 90 sites with over 560 chargers equipped with CCS1 connectors for charging up to 900 volts. Tesla owners and others can access the network via adapters, with plans to integrate native NACS hardware into future stations.
Despite plans to expand and add a large number of charging stations in Canada, there are no RAN stations north of the border.
