Rivian unveiled a Charging Outpost in Joshua Tree, CA -- its first charging site open to all EVs.
The Joshua Tree Charging Outpost offers a range of amenities, including 24-hour restrooms, a lounge, an on-site library and a trail mix bar. These features aim to make public EV charging more convenient and enjoyable.
“Now, we’re excited to bring the Rivian Adventure Network -- with its ease of use and exceptional reliability -- to other EV drivers around North America, investing in a future where charging on the road will be simple, sustainable and convenient,” said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.
The outpost is equipped with cutting-edge chargers delivering rapid charging up to 900 volts. It features CCS connectors compatible with North American Charging Standard (NACS)-equipped vehicles using automaker-approved adapters. Future upgrades will include support for vehicles with native NACS plugs, such as the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Rivian's upcoming R2 and R3 models.
To streamline the charging process, Rivian has introduced tap-to-pay displays, eliminating the need for a dedicated app. The stations are powered entirely by renewable energy, addressing concerns about the environmental impact of EV charging.
“Using a new charger design to accommodate any compatible EV in North America, these sites are an important milestone in support of electrifying the entire transportation sector,” Rivian said in a news release.
The Joshua Tree site follows the success of Rivian's earlier Charging Outpost near Yosemite National Park and comes as part of a broader expansion. Additional fast-charging locations are set to open in states including Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York.
Rivian joins other companies, such as Ionna and Mercedes-Benz, in enhancing public EV charging infrastructure to provide amenities akin to traditional gas stations. These improvements aim to address common challenges like limited facilities, complicated payment systems, and inconvenient locations, ultimately encouraging broader adoption of EVs.
