Good news - More Rivian chargers opened up to non-Rivian vehicles

[K6CCC]

For those planning on driving US Hwy 395 in California, every Rivian DCFC location I checked is now open to non-Rivian vehicles. When I checked as recently as a week or so ago they were all showing Rivian only on Plug Share. After seeing that new information, I installed the Rivian app on my phone and their app confirms that Barstow, Inyokern, Olancha, Bishop, and Lee Vining are all available to non-Rivian vehicles.

I am going to ASSUME (take that for whatever it's worth) that means that a lot more Rivian chargers just recently became available to us. Like Tesla, we pay a higher price than Rivian vehicles, but it adds additional chargers when traveling.

Sponsored

 

[MachLightning]

More available chargers is definitely a good thing, but they are soooooo expensive! I paid 63¢ a couple months back when driving across the country.

Side note: the Tesla membership is absolutely worth it if you're going on a roadtrip. I'm never charging anywhere else ever again, if possible.

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

I’m pleased to hear that more Rivian chargers are now open to other brands; the station at Lee Vining is notable because it will allow me to cross Yosemite NP with more margin in my SR Pro. Regrettably, PlugShare indicates that the Rivian station on I-40 in Holbrook (AZ) is not yet agnostic (however, Tesla is upgrading its site there to v.4 - yea!).

That said, I would only use Rivian chargers in a pinch because of their high cost. The exception might be their charging Outposts like the one in Joshua Tree. There, the amenities - shaded stalls, rest rooms, coffee, lounge, etc. - help justify the added expense.

I second a previous commenter endorsement of a Tesla membership - it has dramatically improved my charging experiences and lowered the cost of my cross-country EV driving.

 

[K6CCC]

More available chargers is definitely a good thing, but they are soooooo expensive! I paid 63¢ a couple months back when driving across the country.

Absolutely! When I looked yesterday, most of the ones I listed were 72 cents / KWH - OUCH!!
So a last resort only.

Side note: the Tesla membership is absolutely worth it if you're going on a roadtrip. I'm never charging anywhere else ever again, if possible.

Also true. When I spend a week driving the Owens valley in early October, I will re-up my Tesla membership for the month. I have plotted every DCFC along the bike ride course (I'm a support vehicle). And at two of the overnight stops, I should have RV outlets available for free. There are six Tesla SuperChargers locations that are available to non-Tesla vehicles in addition to three E.A. locations, and now the four Rivian locations; so I have no concern about being able to charge on the trip. Yes, I will be posting a detailed trip report here after the ride....

 

[jheiss]

The RAN in Truckee was Rivian-only when I was there a few days ago, and now it appears to be open. Yay!

 

[jeep2liberty]

For those planning on driving US Hwy 395 in California, every Rivian DCFC location I checked is now open to non-Rivian vehicles. When I checked as recently as a week or so ago they were all showing Rivian only on Plug Share. After seeing that new information, I installed the Rivian app on my phone and their app confirms that Barstow, Inyokern, Olancha, Bishop, and Lee Vining are all available to non-Rivian vehicles.

I am going to ASSUME (take that for whatever it's worth) that means that a lot more Rivian chargers just recently became available to us. Like Tesla, we pay a higher price than Rivian vehicles, but it adds additional chargers when traveling.

New to EVs. Have the Lightning and a Tesla 3.
Also notice your call sign. W8VFR here

Always glad to hear more charging network available.

So you have photos of the ham rig in your Lightning?

 

[K6CCC]

So you have photos of the ham rig in your Lightning?

There is a reason I use my ham callsign as my ID on most forums, E-Mail lists, etc. I meet a lot of other hams that way

Not yet. I have not gotten radios installed yet - coming soon. Just using two UHF handhelds on my regular wide area linked system - one for transmit & receive and the other for full duplex receive. The one I talk on has an antenna that looks like an expanded metal grid about 10 x 12 inches that is held onto the back window with a couple suction cups. It's really intended for UHF commercial band, but we swept it at work and it's not too bad on 440. Works better than the handheld antenna inside the cab... I really need to get some radios installed for an event I support in October...

 

[Shmoe]

More available chargers is definitely a good thing, but they are soooooo expensive! I paid 63¢ a couple months back when driving across the country.

Side note: the Tesla membership is absolutely worth it if you're going on a roadtrip. I'm never charging anywhere else ever again, if possible.

So true.. they don't even discount Rivian owners either.

But apparently they are adding time-of-use rates at alot of RAN stations now, and the price you see at these currently is the highest 'peak' rate. So they will eventually be getting cheaper depending on what time of day you're there.

 

[K6CCC]

So true.. they don't even discount Rivian owners either.

That's incorrect. Rivians pay less than other vehicles. As far as I can tell, there is no non-Rivian subscription to get a lower price similar to what Tesla, and E.A. offer (and I think a few others).

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

EV charging support along what is one of America's most scenic routes - 395 from the Mojave Desert through the Sierras to Lake Tahoe and Reno - has dramatically improved in the last couple years. These stations also support trips into major national parks such as Yosemite and Death Valley. Here is the PlugShare look at that stretch of highway:

Sponsored