Rivian will open its RAN charging station network to all EVs -- says RJ Scaringe

[s4wrxttcs]

Didn't know that. Thought NEVI meant a physical reader. Also, pretty sure NEVI requirements are just recommendations to the states

I wish some journalist would publish NEVI requirements for dummies.

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[Autolycus]

Didn't know that. Thought NEVI meant a physical reader. Also, pretty sure NEVI requirements are just recommendations to the states

The 2nd part of that is true, for sure. I think California, for example, requires a card reader and display. The NEVI rules do not. They're a little more flexible. They do require plug and charge and the ability to charge accounts on different networks so users don't need an account on every single network.

 

[zymolysis]

It would be nice if first there was an actual RAN "network" instead of a few scattered chargers across the country.

 

[Indy avocado]

Used my first RAN station over the weekend and loved plug and charge.

Weirdly, I have found the Rivian Plug-n-charge to be slower than the chargepoint activation. It's about as slow as EVgo and Electrify America from the time I plug in until charging starts.

 

[WSea]

Weirdly, I have found the Rivian Plug-n-charge to be slower than the chargepoint activation. It's about as slow as EVgo and Electrify America from the time I plug in until charging starts.

Never timed it but my experience is about 10 seconds or less. Could me more….just happy I don’t need to mess with an app and can walk away without worrying it may shutoff

 

[Indy avocado]

Never timed it but my experience is about 10 seconds or less. Could me more….just happy I don’t need to mess with an app and can walk away without worrying it may shutoff

Definitely easier, but the 2 times I used it, it took about 60s to activate.

 

[tscanjr]

Oh, get over it already. There are currently only 22 RAN chargers. Even if they were spread out one per state that would mean there are 28 states, 10 provinces, and 3 territories without a RAN charger. And starting off by putting 1 in every state just to make everyone feel good would be a stupid strategy. BTW, there is only 1 RAN charger in Washington state right now, and we are just as big as the entire region of New England, so in context I have a hard time buying that you're being ignored - there are plenty of other chargers you can use in New England and a RAN charger is not a requirement for driving a Rivian.

Rivian started rolling out the RAN in California, which makes total sense. Not because CA is more "adventurous" than other states but because it makes sense to bootstrap the network by building near their headquarters within reach of the designers and technicians who are developing and servicing the network. And it makes sense to expand the network by placing new stations near existing stations, growing outwards. Having single stations scattered all over the nation, not within range of each other, would again be stupid.

In fact, Tesla's strategy for rolling out the Magic Dock stations is following the same pattern isn't it? Those few are concentrated in New York for now. Why are they ignoring the rest of the country?

So what would be YOUR plan to roll these out that would both make business sense and satisfy everyone? Maybe your plan would be to build 600 sites / 3600 chargers all at once and open them up simultaneously? You'd still get complaints - "Oh there are 600 stations and we only got 10 but we are SO much more adventurous than those other states ..."

First thing I'd do if i were you is take a deep breath...

 

[R1Tom]

I don't understand why Rivian wants to be in the power distribution business anyway. Seems like a distraction from where the money should be being spent.

 

[Count Orlok]

too bad they aren't building them where people need them.

 

[WSea]

I don't understand why Rivian wants to be in the power distribution business anyway. Seems like a distraction from where the money should be being spent.

Look at the DCFC landscape. EA isn't the most reliable "partner". I've never had issues, so far, but I'm sure people have heard about or experienced charging issues. IMO it's a necessity straight out of the tesla playbook

 

[R1Tom]

Look at the DCFC landscape. EA isn't the most reliable "partner". I've never had issues, so far, but I'm sure people have heard about or experienced charging issues. IMO it's a necessity straight out of the tesla playbook

I bought one and closest Rivian charger is about 5 charges away I think. I think lack of service centers and staff is alot bigger deal to must buyers than the Rivian charger network.

And as soon as everybody on earth is pumping out BEVs in next several years, then all the major energy distribution players will be all in and Rivian network will be a hobby at best.

 

[emoore]

I bought one and closest Rivian charger is about 5 charges away I think. I think lack of service centers and staff is alot bigger deal to must buyers than the Rivian charger network.

And as soon as everybody on earth is pumping out BEVs in next several years, then all the major energy distribution players will be all in and Rivian network will be a hobby at best.

Let's hope that the case but I have my doubts about energy players doing anything quickly. I'm not sure that the RAN takes up all the much time from Rivian as a whole.

 

[SteveInBend]

too bad they aren't building them where people need them.

Not true if you live in Central Oregon! They were very much needed to go south to CA. Too bad they haven't put a station jin Burns, OR, though.

 

[Count Orlok]

Not true if you live in Central Oregon! They were very much needed to go south to CA. Too bad they haven't put a station jin Burns, OR, though.

but at least Michigan is almost covered...

 

[R1Sky Business]

Can we have more than 2 RAN chargers in Texas now? Please?

Nope, nor yet

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