Rivian Teams Up with Tesla to Boost Electric Car Charging Infrastructure
If you can’t beat em, join em…”Tesla Killer” Rivian latest OEM to join Tesla supercharger network. In a promising move, Rivian Automotive has announced that it will provide its drivers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, which currently has over 12,000 charging stations across the United States and Canada. In addition, the company will expand its own Rivian Adventure Network, which will help Rivian drivers travel across the country with ease. This partnership is a big step forward for the adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure. Let’s dive deeper into the details.
As part of its push to electrify the transportation industry, the company has announced a partnership with Tesla to provide its drivers with access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The adapter to enable Rivian’s R1T and R1S to charge on the Supercharger network will be available as early as spring 2024. This means that Rivian drivers will have access to one of the largest EV charging networks in North America, which will make road trips and long-distance travel much easier.
In addition to its partnership with Tesla, Rivian is also working on expanding its own Rivian Adventure Network. This network of charging stations is designed to support Rivian drivers on long road trips and in remote areas where charging infrastructure is scarce. These chargers are optimized for fast charging and can add up to 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes. Rivian plans to expand the network to over 600 sites across the United States and Canada over the next few years.
Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure said:
“It’s great to see the industry coming together to adopt the North American Charging Standard. By doing so, we’re collectively ensuring all EV drivers have access to easy to use, reliable charging hardware. We look forward to welcoming Rivian owners to thousands of our Superchargers across North America.”
RJ Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian said:
“We’re excited to work with Tesla and to see collaborations like this help advance the world toward carbon neutrality. The adoption of the North American Charging Standard will enable our existing and future customers to leverage Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network while we continue to build out our Rivian Adventure Network. We look forward to continuing to find new ways to accelerate EV adoption.”
Rivian will also incorporate North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge ports as standard in future R1 vehicles starting in 2025, as well as in its upcoming R2 platform. This means that Rivian drivers will have access to even more charging options, as the company continues to expand its charging network. The NACS is a new standard for EV charging connections, designed to provide a standardized, safe, and fast charging experience across North America.
Why? According to EVAdoption, as of May 31st here are how many installs of DCFCs each OEM has:
Tesla – 19,000+
Rivian – 181
This partnership between Rivian and Tesla is a win-win for both companies and the electric vehicle industry. It will help to improve the charging infrastructure for EVs and make it easier for drivers to make the switch to electric. Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, said in a statement: “The Rivian and Tesla teams share a common goal—to transition the world to sustainable energy. We’re excited to collaborate with Tesla for the benefit of our customers and to accelerate the transition to electric mobility.”
The partnership between Rivian and Tesla is a significant step forward for the adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure. Having access to Tesla’s Supercharger network will make it easier for Rivian drivers to travel long distances and will help to alleviate range anxiety. Rivian’s expansion plans for its charging network will also support its drivers on long road trips and in remote areas. With more and more automakers working on expanding their charging infrastructure, it’s clear that the future of transportation is electric.