- Rivian’s Journey Community charging ecosystem is opening as much as all EVs, not simply the Rivian R1S and R1T.
- Rivian’s first next-generation web site is its Joshua Tree Charging Outpost in California, open to the general public as we speak.
- Extra fast-charging websites are coming in 2025 and past.
Charging your electrical car at dwelling is nice and all, however have you ever ever tried doing it at a closed automotive dealership at 10 p.m. when it is raining exterior and also you’re principally out of luck if it’s worthwhile to use the toilet? Yeah, I am not a fan of that have both.
The excellent news is that Rivian is the most recent firm to unveil some very common sense updates to the charging expertise, and the primary instance of this opens to the general public as we speak. Even higher, extra Rivian Charging Outposts like this are coming quickly and so they’ll be open to all EVs.
At the moment, the EV startup introduced the launch of its new Joshua Tree Charging Outpost in California. You could acknowledge the vibe right here: the primary Charging Outpost opened earlier this yr at a transformed fuel station close to Yosemite Nationwide Park. In contrast to, say, the off-highway strip mall you have been frequenting to your fast-charging wants, the Rivian web site boasts an on-site library, a path combine bar, a lounge to chill out in and, better of all, 24-hour restrooms.
The identical strategy is coming to Joshua Tree now however this one’s much more of an improve as a result of it is the primary such web site that can be open to all EVs and never simply Rivian’s R1S and R1T.
Photograph by: InsideEVs
Rivian Journey Community, Joshua Tree
“Utilizing a brand new charger design to accommodate any appropriate EV in North America, these websites are an necessary milestone in assist of electrifying the whole transportation sector,” Rivian officers mentioned in a information launch. “Strategically situated to encourage extra folks to drive electrical on their subsequent journey, these chargers will ship fast charging as much as 900 volts and have CCS connectors with assist for North American Charging Normal (NACS)-equipped autos with an automaker-approved adapter.”
A future {hardware} replace can even enable these stations to assist EVs with a local NACS plug, just like the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and finally Rivian’s personal R2 and R3 fashions. As an added bonus, these charging stations will assist “tap-to-pay” shows so you’ll be able to cost up with out having to put in the Rivian app. They will even be powered by 100% renewable vitality, the corporate mentioned, countering a frequent criticism that EVs get their vitality from fossil-fuel sources. That is shortly altering because the grid evolves, however Rivian’s getting forward of it now.
“To realize widespread electrification, you additionally want a extremely good charging community,” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe mentioned in a press release. “Now, we’re excited to carry the Rivian Journey Community—with its ease of use and distinctive reliability—to different EV drivers round North America, investing in a future the place charging on the highway can be easy, sustainable, and handy.”
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There’s additionally excellent news in the event you, sadly, don’t reside throughout the neighborhood of Joshua Tree. Rivian mentioned that extra fast-charging websites are coming on-line this yr—sure, as within the remaining weeks of 2024—in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York.
Rivian is not the primary firm to attempt to increase the general public EV charging expertise past the pretty dismal expertise many drivers presently take care of. Whereas charging at house is one of the simplest ways to drive electrical, for individuals who can’t or are on highway journeys, getting juice out in public typically means a hodgepodge of smartphone cost apps, inconvenient places, lengthy strains and nowhere to get snacks or use the services.
However that is altering shortly and evolving right into a mannequin that is a bit extra like a fuel station. Ionna, the charging conglomerate funded by a number of automakers, has a brand new household of websites coming quickly that boasts retail choices and restrooms too. The Mercedes-Benz Excessive-Energy Charging community is providing related facilities, and whereas Mercedes homeowners get sure perks, these websites are open to all EV drivers as nicely.
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