Third-party charging solutions have been hit-or-miss for years, offering spotty reliability and an unpredictable experience in many cases. Tesla’s Supercharger network delivers a significantly friendlier experience, leading most automakers to install the company’s charging ports in new EVs. Rivian will soon begin rolling out vehicles with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), and it was recently reported that it will soon add them to its growing Adventure Network.
Rivian
Rivian’s Adventure Network (RAN) is a fraction of the size of Tesla’s Supercharger spread, with CEO RJ Scaringe saying that RAN and Superchargers are both great charging networks, but noting that Tesla’s solution is scaled far past that of his company’s network. As Rivian looks to expand its charging presence, the addition of Tesla plugs will ensure continued access to a wide range of EVs. Current Rivian owners must use an adapter to charge at NACS-equipped locations, but the company is expected to begin installing the ports in next-generation versions of the R1 and upcoming R2 vehicles.
The automaker installed the first plugs at its location in Joshua Tree, CA, where it converted a third of the CCS plugs to NACS. The automaker’s “Charging Outposts” blend the feel of a rest stop with a traditional charging station, offering a lounge, snacks and coffee, and Rivian merchandise. The first location opened in Yosemite last year, and the company is building an east coast headquarters location in Georgia.
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Rivian’s Outposts are neat, but they might be overshadowed by Tesla’s new Diner, which recently opened in Hollywood, offering charging, movies, merchandise, and food. Tesla plans to open more locations if the first is successful, but it took the company eight years to build the first location, so there’s no telling how or when another may arrive.