Rivian has confirmed it has acquired Iternio, a Swedish EV route planning app maker best known for its consumer-oriented application called A Better Route Planner (ABRP). The acquisition will see Rivian integrate Iternio’s technology into their electric vehicles (EVs), while also enhancing ABRP as a standalone app for users of different EVs
Reports emerged in the last week suggesting Rivian was close to acquiring Iternio, but in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday CEO RJ Scaringe revealed the deal was completed in the first quarter. The financial details were not disclosed.
A Better Route Planner (ABRP) has become popular among EV owners as it offers a level of customization in its route calculation that few other services offer. User can customize factors such as weather conditions, charging stops, vehicle weight, and more.
Scaringe emphasized the value of data obtained from an active user base, stating that it allows Rivian to strategically expand its charging infrastructure. The data collected will help identify locations that lack chargers or have underperforming charging stations, aiding in the targeted deployment of charging infrastructure, Scaringe explained.
It was unclear how the company’s recent deal with Tesla to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for their future EVs would impact the build out of the Rivian Adventure Network, but based on these comments it appears they are moving ahead to build 600 DC fast charging stations across Canada and the US.
