Rivian is opening three electric vehicle fast-charging stations in California and Colorado this week as the automaker's effort to build an "Adventure Network" along highways and near recreational activities that fit its customer base a part of.
According to Rivian, the first Level 3 DC (direct current fast) charging station opened Monday in Salida, Colorado, with four chargers capable of delivering over 200 kilowatts of power. The company says this allows drivers of the Rivian R1T -- and eventually the R1S SUV -- to add as much as 140 miles in 20 minutes. One of the fast chargers is set up as a pull station, which means vehicles towing a trailer can be charged here.
Rivian said its second and third Adventure Network sites will open June 28 and June 29 in Inyokern and Bishop, California, near several leisure destinations such as Mammoth Lakes, approx. Semiti National Park and Death Valley National Park.
Opening the three DC fast-charging stations is an important and first step in Rivian's plan to install 3,500 fast-chargers at 600 locations in North America. But these fast chargers are only part 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 located along highways such as the one open in Salida, and another layer atypical in the electric vehicle industry.
Rivian has also installed Level 2 AC charging stations in adventure destinations such as mountain biking and hiking starting points, kayaking locations, national and state parks, and even popular rock climbing cliffs. The aim is to directly appeal to Rivian's customer base, especially new buyers. All of Rivian's Level 2 AC charging stations -- which the company calls "waypoints" -- are open to the public and available to all EV brands with J1772 plugs. The DC Fast Charger is only available to Rivian customers.
Rivian began installing its first such chargers in all 42 Colorado state parks last July. Each park will have two Rivian charging points.
The new fast-charging stations opening this week also include slower "waypoint" chargers. The Salida location into Rivian has four Level 2 AC chargers that provide 11.5 kW charging speeds. At this rate, the Level 2 charger should add 25 miles per hour to the R1T pickup and R1S SUV.
Rivian owners can use the vehicle's navigation and accompanying app to locate waypoints and its branded fast-charging stations.
