Electric vehicle maker Rivian on Thursday opened a charging station in Joshua Tree that can be used by owners of many other EV brands as well.
Dubbed the Joshua Tree Outpost, it contains a mixture of amenities found at traditional gas stations, like snacks, coffee and of course restrooms. It also has a kids’ play area, and educational displays on EV basics and ecology of the nearby national park, which with an estimated 3 million visitors annually offers potentially lucrative revenues for the company in a state where all new cars sold by 2035 must be zero emission.
The company opened a similar charging outpost near even more popular Yosemite National Park earlier this year, but this is the first that can be used by non-Rivian EVs, according to a news release. The company expects to open more charging locations at sites in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York in the near future.
Using a new charger design to accommodate any compatible EV in North America, the company said in the release, “these sites are an important milestone in support of electrifying the entire transportation sector.
“A spokeswoman said mileage would vary by brand and model, but that a driver would be able to reach downtown Los Angeles on a single charge at the station.
Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said, ““Since the beginning, we’ve understood that … to achieve widespread electrification, you also need a really good charging network. Now, we’re excited to bring the Rivian Adventure Network–with its ease of use and exceptional reliability–to other EV drivers around North America, investing in a future where charging on the road will be simple, sustainable, and convenient.”
People wait in line to get into Joshua Tree National Park’s west entrance along Park Blvd. on a Monday morning, January 24, 2022.Strategically located near outdoor adventure spots, the machines will deliver rapid charging up to 900 volts and feature CCS connectors with support for North American Charging Standard (NACS)-equipped vehicles with an automaker-approved adapter. Support for native NACS connectors, also known as SAE J3400, will come with a future hardware update.
How to charge your EV near Joshua Tree National Park
The new chargers meet design and siting requirements to be eligible for federal and state infrastructure funding, allowing Rivian to further expand its charging infrastructure for all EV drivers. In addition, the release said the charging will become “an important source of revenue” as the network expands. The charging stations are also 100% powered by renewables.
Located at 61142 29 Palms Hwy across Highway 62 from the Joshua Tree Inn, the station charges 45 cents per kilowatt hour for Rivian vehicles, and 60 cents for other EVs, and is open 24 hours and seven days a week.
