After nearly two years of growth and serving Rivian drivers on long-distance trips, Rivian plans to open its fast-charging network to other EVs later this year.
Rivian showcased a prototype of its new, in-house charger, designed from the ground up to charge nearly every EV available today in North America. The new charger is taller and features a longer cable to accommodate differences in vehicle charging port placement. These chargers will deliver rapid charging to both 400 and 800-volt packs and feature CCS connectors with support for Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS)-equipped vehicles with an approved adapter. Support for native NACS, also known as SAE J3400, will come with a future hardware update. Each charger will also include a larger display and tap-to-pay terminal to enable use with or without the Rivian mobile app.
“Rivian exists to address two specific needs, the electrification of our transportation system and supporting the transition of our power grid to carbon-free energy sources,” said Paul Frey, Rivian Vice President of Battery, Charging, and Adventure Products. “By broadening access to our Rivian Adventure Network—powered by 100% renewable energy—we are supporting both of these critical goals while also encouraging more people to embark on their next adventure in an EV.”
Starting later this year, Rivian plans for all new Adventure Network sites to be built using the company’s next-generation charger; existing charging sites will be retrofitted with new chargers to accommodate EVs of different shapes and sizes. Where practical, sites will be built with a trailer-friendly charger to accommodate vehicles that are towing.
Source: Rivian
