Rivian, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that it will begin billing customers for the use of its Adventure Network EV charging stations starting in early November. This move marks a significant change for Rivian owners who have been enjoying complimentary charging access until now.
Rivian’s Adventure Network is a comprehensive ecosystem of DC fast-charging sites strategically designed to facilitate long-distance travel for its EV owners. The decision to build this network stemmed from the observation of a considerable lack of public charging infrastructure investment.
As of April, Rivian had established approximately 30 charging sites, each equipped with six fast chargers. However, the company has ambitious plans to extend this network’s reach by installing more than 3,500 fast chargers at around 600 sites across the United States within the next two years. The selection of these sites is based on factors such as accessibility, with an emphasis on popular roads and highways.
These charging stations are engineered to support future charging outputs exceeding 300 kW, although the current capacity stands at around 220 kW. This translates to the ability for Rivian owners to add approximately 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes, providing a convenient and efficient charging experience.
Rivian’s commitment to enhancing the charging experience extends to its ongoing efforts to improve the network’s functionality. With Rivian’s integrated over-the-air (OTA) updates, the company can diagnose and address issues remotely, ensuring the reliability of the charging stations.
Moreover, Rivian is also installing over 10,000 level 2 chargers at popular destinations throughout North America under the Rivian Waypoints program, further expanding its charging infrastructure.
While Rivian Adventure Network charging has been free for Rivian customers during the network’s construction phase, the company is preparing to implement billing for its services. Rivian sent an email to its owners explaining this transition, emphasizing that the charging process itself will remain unchanged. Owners can continue to pull up to the stations, plug in, and commence charging seamlessly. However, they will now be automatically billed for their usage.
The pricing information will be accessible to users through the charger screens, the Rivian app, and their vehicle’s navigation system. Although the Adventure Network is currently exclusive to Rivian drivers, the company has plans to open it up to other EV brands in the near future.
Furthermore, starting in 2024, Rivian owners will gain access to over 12,000 Tesla Supercharger locations, further expanding their charging options and enhancing the convenience of EV ownership.
As the EV charging landscape continues to evolve, the introduction of fees for the Adventure Network underscores the shifting dynamics in the industry, with companies seeking sustainable models for providing charging services and accommodating a growing EV user base.
