Rivian this week will open three fast-charging EV locations in California and Colorado as part of the automaker's effort to create an adventure network «adventure» along the interstates as well as at locations near recreational activities aligned with its customer base.
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The first Level 3 DC fast-charging location, which opened Monday in Salida, Colorado, features four chargers that can provide more than 200 kilowatts of power, according to Rivian. That allows Rivian R1T drivers (and eventually R1S SUV drivers) to add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes, the company said. One of the fast chargers is set up as a pull-in area to accommodate vehicles towing trailers.
Rivian said its second and third Adventure Network sites will open on June 28 and 29 in Inyokern and Bishop, California, locations that are close to a variety of recreation including Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park and Death Valley National Park.
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The opening of the three DC fast-charging locations is an important first step toward Rivian’s plan to install 3,500 fast chargers at 600 locations across North America. But these fast chargers are just one piece of Rivian’s dual EV infrastructure strategy to install more than 10,000 chargers by the end of 2023.
The Rivian Adventure Network includes fast chargers that are located along the interstates, such as the one that opened in Salida, and another level that is informal in the EV industry.
Rivian is also installing so-called Level 2 AC chargers at adventure destinations, such as mountain bike and hiking trails, kayaking, national and state parks, and even popular rock climbing spots. The goal is to immediately appeal to Rivian’s customer base and, more importantly, to attract new buyers. All of Rivian’s Level 2 AC chargers, which the company has dubbed “waypoints,” are open to the public and accessible to all brands of electric vehicles with a J1772 connector. DC fast chargers are accessible only to Rivian customers.
Rivian began installing the first of these rideshare locations in all 42 Colorado state parks last July. Each park will have two Rivian rideshare locations each.
The new fast‑charging locations opening this week also include the slower “waypoint” chargers. For example, Rivian’s Salida site has four AC “Level 2” chargers delivering a charging speed of 11.5 kW. At this rate, a Level 2 charger should be able to add up to 25 miles of range per hour to an R1T truck and an R1S SUV.
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Rivian owners can locate route points as well as the brand's signature fast chargers via the vehicle's navigation and companion app.
Information source: techcrunch.com
