Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is set to join General Motors (GM) and Ford in accessing Tesla’s renowned Supercharger network. Starting from spring next year, Rivian will provide an adapter to R1T and R1S owners, enabling them to connect their EVs to Tesla’s Supercharger stations. Additionally, Rivian plans to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge ports as standard for its R1 vehicles by 2025, as well as in the upcoming R2 platform.
This move grants Rivian owners the convenience of utilizing more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the United States and Canada to charge their vehicles’ batteries. Rivian also intends to expand its own Adventure Network of DC fast chargers, ensuring an enhanced charging infrastructure for its customers.
RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “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.”
Today we signed an agreement with @Tesla to adopt the North American Charging Standard. This opens charging for Rivian vehicles on Tesla's Supercharger network across the United States and Canada. Access starts as soon as Spring 2024. https://t.co/Z5SBOFytgy pic.twitter.com/fWOMNtpkYs
— Rivian (@Rivian) June 20, 2023
Tesla had announced its decision to open source the NACS last year, positioning it as a potential standard for EV charging in North America. Ford, GM, and now Rivian have embraced this standard, signaling a shift away from the Combined Charging System (CCS). Tesla emphasized the broader availability of the NACS due to the extensive Supercharger network, potentially putting pressure on other infrastructure providers such as Electrify America and Chargepoint to consider adopting the NACS as well.
As the EV market continues to evolve, collaboration and the establishment of charging standards become crucial for seamless user experiences. Rivian’s partnership with Tesla not only broadens charging options for Rivian owners but also demonstrates the industry’s recognition of the importance of interoperability and the need to accelerate EV adoption.
By leveraging Tesla’s Supercharger network and adopting the NACS, Rivian takes a significant step toward enhancing the charging ecosystem for EV owners and contributing to the growth of sustainable transportation.
