Rivian Jumps on the Tesla Supercharger Bandwagon
Guess what, Rivian fans? Your electric adventures just got a turbo boost, thanks to a shiny new software update over the weekend. Now, you can power up your rugged trucks and SUVs at Tesla Supercharger stations. Didn’t see that coming, did you? It’s a bit of a game-changer announced last year, with plans to also embrace Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports in future models. Though these fancy ports are set to debut in 2025, Rivian’s not making you wait. They’ve kicked off a program to mail Tesla-made NACS adapters straight to current customers – talk about VIP treatment!
Zero Costs, Maximum Convenience
And the best part? These adapters come at the grand price of… absolutely nothing! It’s reminiscent of Ford’s recent gesture in a bold move toward the NACS standard. Imagine receiving an all-access pass to Tesla’s charging empire, courtesy of Rivian, based solely on your vehicle’s VIN number. They haven’t spilled the beans on whether this is a short-term extravaganza or how much extra adapters will cost down the line. For context, Ford’s tossing in a $230 price tag for their adapters starting in July.
Charging Made Easy
Ditch the headache of extra apps; Rivian’s got you covered. With the vehicle’s infotainment system or Rivian’s app, selecting Tesla Superchargers is a breeze, and you don’t even need Tesla’s app to manage payments. Rivian’s chief of software, Wassym Bensaid, shared with The Verge that this update opens the door to over 15,000 more DC fast chargers across the nation. Talk about expanding your electric horizons!
While it’s a monumental step into Tesla’s territory, Rivian’s still fervently expanding its own Adventure Network, planning to sprinkle the landscape with thousands of its proprietary chargers. Because why settle for one when you can enjoy the best of both worlds?
Why Tesla’s Charging Network?
In the electric vehicle universe, Tesla’s Supercharger network is often hailed as the gold standard. With reliability that outshines the competition and a sprawling network of over 55,000 stations, it’s no wonder why. So, when Rivian rolled out the red carpet to Tesla’s Superchargers, it was like getting an all-access pass to the coolest club in town.
Gone are the days when Tesla’s Supercharger network was a members-only affair. With heavy hitters like Subaru, Volkswagen, Honda, and Toyota boarding the NACS train, the future of EV charging is looking more inclusive and interconnected than ever. And Rivian? They’re leading the charge (pun intended) into this brave new world.
The Future is Now
For those on the edge of their seats about compatibility, Rivian assures that most V3 Tesla Superchargers are fair game with the adapter, though some V2s might be a bit picky. And here’s a teaser – the upcoming Rivian R2, R3, and R3X models are already queued up to sport those handy NACS ports right off the assembly line. The future’s looking electric, and Rivian’s making sure you’re plugged in and ready to roll.
