Rivian announced it would install ‘waypoint’ electric vehicle (EV) chargers at all 56 Tennessee State Parks. This mirrors a similar announcement from Rivian with the Colorado State Park system.
Rivian previously announced a plan to build 10,000 Level 2 AC chargers by the end of 2023. Part of this strategy is to build chargers in far-flung locales, including state parks.
The company sees itself as an eco-friendly automaker, with its key demographic being the outdoorsy type. The plan is to set up charging networks in hard-to-reach places, which of course, is counter to what we have seen from Tesla, for instance.
The ‘waypoint’ EV chargers will be open to the public and allow any vehicle with a J1772 plug to charge.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deal will see Rivian install the chargers and cover servicing, maintenance, and upgrades for ten years. Rivian is covering all costs, and they will even cover utility upgrades when needed in the parks.
When they open charging will be free for all users. However, Rivian did note that future charges will be dependent on how the state decides to recover the electricity costs. Installation is set for as early as Fall 2021.
