Rivian customers now have access to an adapter that allows them to tap into the extensive North American Supercharger network of Tesla. It is the second automaker after Ford to offer this option. On Monday, Rivian announced that it will start shipping the adapters to its customers, with one per VIN, for free this spring. However, they have not disclosed whether this will remain a complimentary service or if there will be a fee in the future. Ford, on the other hand, began offering the so-called North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters last month for free but will begin charging $230 for them after June 30th.
Rivian has not yet confirmed whether existing customers will receive the adapter for free or if there will be a cost to order one.
Almost every major automaker has announced plans to make their forthcoming EVs NACS compatible since Tesla opened up its charging technology in late 2022. These adapters serve as a temporary solution for customers who have purchased or will purchase EVs that rely on the previous dominant charging interface, the Combined Charging System (CCS). Many automakers have also stated that their future EVs will incorporate Tesla’s charging technology into their vehicles.
For example, the current R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck models from Rivian will be equipped with built-in Tesla charging technology next year. The newly revealed next-generation vehicles, which were debuted earlier this month, will also feature the Tesla charging port. The R2 SUV will include a NACS charging port when it is released in 2026, while the smaller R3 hatchback will have one at a later date. (There has already been some online debate about the placement of this port.)
Rivian has stated that current owners will receive a notification on their vehicle screen with a QR code where they can reserve their adapter.
With this new access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, Rivian customers now have over 15,000 fast chargers available for use. Additionally, Rivian has been working on expanding its own network of fast-charging stations, known as the Rivian Adventure Network. As of Monday, they have 424 chargers in operation at 70 stations across 22 states.
