RAN Rivian Charging Stations Locations Map via Google Maps

[Joel]

There's a layer on the google map for an outdated EA location map. It's not up to date as of right now, but it was from sometime months after Rivian laid out their initial RAN strategy and plan. Because of the lag in planning, site contract, install, etc., I think that map is valid for the type of question you're asking. Rivian couldn't rely on EA to add new stations in specific locations.

The RAN's first well-established east-coast route along the Blue Ridge Parkway, they are 100% enabling adventure that would have been doable but significantly harder relying on other chargers. Working south to north along the BRP and looking at >120kw:

1) Cherokee, NC (RAN under construction but not open yet). There's currently a Shell charger that's misleading. It's 200A, so really just 80kw.
2) Asheville, NC. Rivian has skipped this planned location for now. EA has a station that will work ok for BRP travelers.
3) Blowing Rock, NC. There's a 180kw Circle K charger in Boone that opened in March 2023. Distance between them is 10 miles. Going to the Circle K from the BRP would add 20-30 minutes roundtrip vs. using the RAN in Blowing Rock.
4) Meadows of Dan, VA. There's nothing anywhere even remotely close to this one. Nearest >120kw station I can find on Plugshare is 1 hour each way and nowhere near the BRP.
5) Roanoke, VA. There's an EA station on the north side of Roanoke off I-81. Looks like it'd be at least a half hour roundtrip extra if traveling along the BRP, as compared to using the RAN that's in Roanoke proper.
6) Waynesboro, VA. There's an EA station in Staunton, probably 20-30 minutes roundtrip off the BRP and away from Skyline Drive.
7) Front Royal, VA. There's an EA station in Stevens City along I-81. Similar to the ones in Roanoke and Waynesboro, this one is probably a half hour or more roundtrip away from Skyline Dr. in Shenandoah NP.

I would say very definitively that Rivian's prioritizing the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah NP will facilitate adventure that is theoretically possible but a giant PITA with other chargers. (other than Tesla, potentially. I haven't looked at a supercharger map, and Rivian certainly couldn't have counted on that recent development, nor should they force customers to rely on superchargers exclusively anyway). And when I say possible, I'm largely not taking into account any sort of extended camping or off-grid periods that will drain additional range that's not taken up by covering miles on the road.

To you point 2 I understand but wish they would have added one still as this location constantly has a wait. The only time I have not had to wait is late in the day or mid morning.

It would also be nice to have something in Nantahala area near Highlands, NC.

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[Autolycus]

To you point 2 I understand but wish they would have added one still as this location constantly has a wait. The only time I have not had to wait is late in the day or mid morning.

It would also be nice to have something in Nantahala area near Highlands, NC.

Agree 100% about Asheville. It’s just a single EA station and not in the most convenient location for the BRP. It’s fine. A RAN site in Biltmore Village would be perfect because of the amenities around there, but Tunnel Rd, Biltmore Park or even the mall where the original Tesla setup was would be ok.

The strategic plan (as I’ve started calling that original map) had a pin in Robbinsville, which is close to the Nantahala Gorge, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and a ton of forest service roads and trails. That’d be a great place for a RAN if the power infrastructure can support it.

 

[HokieR1T]

Meadow of Dan, VA. I grew up in the area, until I left for high school the only stoplight in the county was on the football field (Drivers ed class was on the track with a mock intersection behind the end zone). Even to this day cell phone coverage and home internet access can be spotty. There are no other charging stations within 45 min, (or longer if you aren't used to driving on curvy, tight, mountain roads)

Is this map able to tell us if Rivian making any attempt to enable EV adventuring in areas that you couldn't before?

Are any of Rivian's chargers more than 50 miles away from competing chargers? Or are all of them placed in areas that are already served by equivalent chargers operated by other providers?

 

[Autolycus]

Meadow of Dan, VA. I grew up in the area, until I left for high school the only stoplight in the county was on the football field. Even to this day cell phone coverage and home internet access can be spotty. There are no other charging stations within 45 min, (or longer if you aren't used to driving on curvy, tight, mountain roads)

Yeah, the BRP and Shenandoah were a PERFECT priority route for Rivian. Very sparse charging infrastructure through the entire region, but TONS of hiking, camping, etc. and two of the most-visited units of the National Park Service (GSMNP is the most-visited "National Park" by a large margin, and the BRP is the most visited "unit"). -- there's some distinction being made here between designations like "National Park" vs. "National Recreation Area". BRP and GSMNP saw a combined total of 28.6 million visitors in 2022.

For NPS nerds, Golden Gate Recreation Area was #2 most visited unit. GGRA has been #1 5 of the years between 2011-2022. BRP was #1 the rest.

And one more factoid: GSMNP is far and away the most-visited "national park" because it is within a day's drive of half of the US population. (a long drive for some of those, for sure, but a day nonetheless)

 

[ycking]

I believe it's in the Best Western Plus Tree House parking lot just off I5 Exit 738 West Lake St.
Heading thru there on the 7th. Hasn't been added to PlugShare yet.

I will be up in that area in a few weeks but haven’t seen a potential address posted. Will look around though for any signs of it.

If you guys make it out there, please do share any updates. I am heading that way on 10th. Not sure how soon after it gets open, the app will show it.

 

[Boykie]

Agree 100% about Asheville. It’s just a single EA station and not in the most convenient location for the BRP. It’s fine. A RAN site in Biltmore Village would be perfect because of the amenities around there, but Tunnel Rd, Biltmore Park or even the mall where the original Tesla setup was would be ok.

The strategic plan (as I’ve started calling that original map) had a pin in Robbinsville, which is close to the Nantahala Gorge, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and a ton of forest service roads and trails. That’d be a great place for a RAN if the power infrastructure can support it.

I think the best location would be near the REI store in Biltmore Park right off of I-26 exit 37.

 

[TeamEV]

Well that happened.

 

[Autolycus]

Well that happened.

Was that one on their "coming soon" map? It was at least on their original strategic plan, but I'm not sure if I remember it on the "coming soon". I guess that's a good sign if the "coming soon" list might potentially not be the only ones that could happen at any given time?

FWIW, this one also seems to be an "adventure enabler". It's about 33 miles from the nearest EA stations in Winslow and Show Low and looks like it's placed very well for a loop through Petrified Forest NP.

Last day of the quarter. Will there be any more openings today? Several sites look really close.

 

[Glacier]

Mt Shasta is now open.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Looks like Traverse City just went live. @fastwheels should be happy. Not showing up in the app yet though.

 

[Autolycus]

Looks like Traverse City just went live. @fastwheels should be happy. Not showing up in the app yet though.

That will also make @Count Orlok extremely happy.

 

[Count Orlok]

That will also make @Count Orlok extremely happy.

that is awesome! we all know Michigan is underserved, unlike New Mexico, Kanass, or Ioway.

 

[Autolycus]

OK, what bookmaker is giving odds on whether they'll be able to flip 2 more on today before the end of quarter? And which stations would people put money on being next?

 

[Lizardo]

OK, what bookmaker is giving odds on whether they'll be able to flip 2 more on today before the end of quarter? And which stations would people put money on being next?

Not sure about today, but believe SA, TX will be on next week.

 

[Dark-Fx]

OK, what bookmaker is giving odds on whether they'll be able to flip 2 more on today before the end of quarter? And which stations would people put money on being next?

I'm hoping for some Upper Peninsula RANs that aren't on the coming soon map.

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