New RAN in Del Norte CO

[JamuJoe]

I happened to travel US 160 from Durango to Colorado Springs, and lo and behold - a new RAN has sprung up in Del Norte. Great positioning for those making the trip to Great Sand Dunes NP or Colorado Springs. The actual location, however is dismal - hidden across a gravel lot behind a grocery store too far to walk to the coffee shops and cafes in town. The toilets in the grocery store were even out of order. Lovely. And again, no canopy over chargers that are certainly going to see snow and less probably be cleared. At least it should be easy access for those towing a trailer. Why, I wonder, does Rivian make such an investment in chargers in a location with such poor customer conveniences? Why, I wonder, does Rivian not have an EV Charging sign with the Rivian brand or logo at the turn from the highway? Sure, our vehicles can find the chargers, but would easy advertising not be worth the cost of a little sign? Contrast this to the Charge Point installation a bit further in Alamosa at a nice Colorado Welcome Center. Come on Rivian, you can do better.

Sponsored

 

[COdogman]

Aren’t the chargers at the Welcome Center funded by the state? And you don’t just “put up a sign“ on public land. Just be happy there are more chargers.

 

[Bristlecone]

I happened to travel US 160 from Durango to Colorado Springs, and lo and behold - a new RAN has sprung up in Del Norte. Great positioning for those making the trip to Great Sand Dunes NP or Colorado Springs. The actual location, however is dismal - hidden across a gravel lot behind a grocery store too far to walk to the coffee shops and cafes in town. The toilets in the grocery store were even out of order. Lovely. And again, no canopy over chargers that are certainly going to see snow and less probably be cleared. At least it should be easy access for those towing a trailer. Why, I wonder, does Rivian make such an investment in chargers in a location with such poor customer conveniences? Why, I wonder, does Rivian not have an EV Charging sign with the Rivian brand or logo at the turn from the highway? Sure, our vehicles can find the chargers, but would easy advertising not be worth the cost of a little sign? Contrast this to the Charge Point installation a bit further in Alamosa at a nice Colorado Welcome Center. Come on Rivian, you can do better.

I happened to travel US 160 from Durango to Colorado Springs, and lo and behold - a new RAN has sprung up in Del Norte. Great positioning for those making the trip to Great Sand Dunes NP or Colorado Springs. The actual location, however is dismal - hidden across a gravel lot behind a grocery store too far to walk to the coffee shops and cafes in town. The toilets in the grocery store were even out of order. Lovely. And again, no canopy over chargers that are certainly going to see snow and less probably be cleared. At least it should be easy access for those towing a trailer. Why, I wonder, does Rivian make such an investment in chargers in a location with such poor customer conveniences? Why, I wonder, does Rivian not have an EV Charging sign with the Rivian brand or logo at the turn from the highway? Sure, our vehicles can find the chargers, but would easy advertising not be worth the cost of a little sign? Contrast this to the Charge Point installation a bit further in Alamosa at a nice Colorado Welcome Center. Come on Rivian, you can do better.

I happened to travel US 160 from Durango to Colorado Springs, and lo and behold - a new RAN has sprung up in Del Norte. Great positioning for those making the trip to Great Sand Dunes NP or Colorado Springs. The actual location, however is dismal - hidden across a gravel lot behind a grocery store too far to walk to the coffee shops and cafes in town. The toilets in the grocery store were even out of order. Lovely. And again, no canopy over chargers that are certainly going to see snow and less probably be cleared. At least it should be easy access for those towing a trailer. Why, I wonder, does Rivian make such an investment in chargers in a location with such poor customer conveniences? Why, I wonder, does Rivian not have an EV Charging sign with the Rivian brand or logo at the turn from the highway? Sure, our vehicles can find the chargers, but would easy advertising not be worth the cost of a little sign? Contrast this to the Charge Point installation a bit further in Alamosa at a nice Colorado Welcome Center. Come on Rivian, you can do better.

Not exactly new. I charged up there in July and was totally happy to have it. Good location, quick and no wait. What’s not to like.

 

[Aardvark]

This site opened in Dec 2024 and I like having it. Yes, the bathroom availability is restricted by the food market hours, but on this stretch of Hwy 160 I'll take any charging options I can get. By charging here I could have easily made it to the Cortez Supercharger on my way to AZ, but I stopped instead at the Durango RAN because it had just opened the day I was driving through.

 

[Anna Kelly]

Here is the RAN in Durango - right by the NEW REI store (spent way too much money there!)- with a drive-through-with-trailer charger that didn't work unfortunately. Had to wiggle my way up to, and out of, an end spot in the row of regular stations. But I'm glad Rivian is making the effort to accommodate trailers. I only found 5 stops out of 66 charging stations during a recent 7200 mile road trip that had pull-through chargers. 4 of the 5 were Rivian stations, one was Tesla.

And here is the RAN in Del Norte with lots of space, a pull-through spot, and functioning chargers. I had my own bathroom and enjoyed lunch here - the advantages of bringing your home with you... just sayin'

 

[Curtis Novak]

Not exactly new. I charged up there in July and was totally happy to have it. Good location, quick and no wait. What’s not to like.

My thoughts exactly. I charged there back in spring on a trip from joshua tree to denver. I was grateful for this RAN and was very pleased. Was a lovely little grocery store, got me a bag of coffee from a small regional roaster, used the restroom, then went across the street to a couple thrift stores. I don't need any red carpet, just a good reliable charger I can depend on so don't have to rely on spotty service from electrify America is sketchy walmart parking lots.

 

[BigSkies]

I haven't been to the Del Norte RAN, but I topped up at the slower Chargepoint last summer.

My recollection is that pretty much that entire town is on the main street, and the whole town can't be much more than half-a-mile long.

I think this is one of those places to be grateful that Rivian was able to find a spot that meets the power requirements of a DCFC to begin with.

Sponsored