EV charging network interoperability is a good thing for consumers, and for the industry. The more chargers that are available to an owner — whether they drive a Tesla, Rivian, Volkswagen, or what have you — the happier they’ll be and, the thinking goes, the more likely they’ll be to adopt an EV.
Back in 2019, various CCS networks like Electrify America and ChargePoint started announcing interoperability agreements. Then Tesla started opening its chargers to other EVs, and almost every automaker announced the adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) Now Rivian is opening up the Rivian Adventure Network to other EVs.
It Starts With Joshua Tree
Rivian opened its first “next-generation” charging location, the Joshua Tree Charging Outpost, less than a mile from the eponymous national park’s visitor center in California. The Joshua Tree National Park features backcountry roads for exploration, many requiring high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. It’s the perfect venue for a Rivian outing, though now other interested EV owners will be able to take advantage of the nearby charging.
The Joshua Tree Charging Outpost features 12 Rivian Adventure Network chargers providing up to 900 volts. They use CCS connectors, and are compatible with NACS adapters, though Rivian says it will add NACS connectors in “a future hardware update.” After all, Rivian switched to the NACS charging standard for its R1T pickup and R1S SUV for its 2025-model-year update.
The Joshua Tree site not only offers charging, but a shop, 24-hour restrooms, free Wi-Fi, a play area with a climbing wall, hammocks, cabanas, and a miniature outdoor museum.
More To Come
Rivian is planning more charging locations for its owners, as well as bringing other EV owners into the fold as energy customers. “Since the beginning, we’ve understood that creating great products like the R1T and R1S only made up half the equation,” Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said in a statement. “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.”
Rivian says the new chargers not only get all their electricity from renewable energy, but that they see the eligibility requirements for federal and state infrastructure funding. Rivian says it is working to build over 3,500 chargers at about 600 sites in the U.S. and Canada.
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