Excited about the forthcoming Rivian R1T pickup and R1S SUV? But worried about charging the all-electric rigs on your remote outdoor journeys? Fret not. Rivian has already begun installing a remote charging network in order to support your adventurous lifestyle.
In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe revealed that the company has already started building a charging infrastructure with its outdoorsy owners at top of mind.
Specifically, the chargers will be installed alongside popular mountain bike trials, kayaking spots, and scenic hiking trails. What’s more, the company is planning recommended routes for owners to follow, so they can explore while their Rivian recharges.
“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how you can essentially create these curated drives where, depending on your point of interest, you can pick different paths,” Scaringe said. “If you want to stop midway through the trip for a one-mile, two-mile or five-mile hike, you know, here’s a route that you want to take and here’s a charging location right next to it.”
READ MORE: RIVIAN R1T & R1S: HOW WE’D BUILD IT
You won’t have to plan on a five-miler every time you want to recharge your Rivian, though. The rigs’ high-speed DC charger will be capable of up to 140 miles in about 20 minutes, Scaringe revealed.
Admittedly, having a fast-charger near a hiking trailhead doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be useful on a super-remote overland journey. But it’s a start. I know I regularly drive by hiking trailheads during my overland adventures. And pausing at one for 20 minutes to snag 140 miles of range is totally reasonable to me. What’s more, it sure as heck beats re-routing to a stripmall next to an interstate just to catch a couple electrons.
Certainly, putting chargers in remote spots will be tough and expensive — and will take a long time. But I for one am heartened Rivian is thinking about us outdoor explorers and investing in a charging network that suits our lifestyles.
Header image: Rivian
