Another Automaker Has Joined Ford and GM in Adopting Tesla Chargers

Rivian Automotive represented an exciting new market for EVs when its first electric trucks hit the roads in 2021. Now, Rivian owners will gain access to a wide-reaching network of chargers used by Tesla vehicles across the country.

The California-based company announced yesterday that it will be joining Ford and General Motors in adopting Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) in all its vehicles moving forward. Starting next spring, all Rivian trucks will be able to use Tesla's growing Supercharger network, which currently boasts upwards of 17,000 stations across the U.S., per Reuters. Its R1T and R1S models won't have built-in NACS ports until 2025, but adapters will be available to customers early next year. Its upcoming R2 model will also come with NACS installed.

According to the announcement, Rivian drivers will have access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers in 2024. In addition, the company plans to continue expanding the Rivian Adventure Network, its own charging infrastructure with stations all over the country.

"We’re excited to work with Tesla and to see collaborations like this help advance the world toward carbon neutrality," Rivian founder and CEO R.J. Scaringe said in a statement. "The adoption of the North American Charging Standard will enable our existing and future customers to leverage Tesla's expansive Supercharger network while we continue to build out our Rivian Adventure Network. We look forward to continuing to find new ways to accelerate EV adoption."

On the Tesla side, the Elon Musk-backed EV giant is similarly thrilled about the new partnership. "It’s great to see the industry coming together to adopt the North American Charging Standard," Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla's senior director of charging infrastructure, shared of the joint effort. "By doing so, we’re collectively ensuring all EV drivers have access to easy-to-use, reliable charging hardware. We look forward to welcoming Rivian owners to thousands of our Superchargers across North America."

Rivian launched with the goal of bringing electric vehicles—specifically, electric SUVs and pickup trucks—to the masses. While the cost of an EV can still prove to be a barrier for many, the expansion and increased adoption can only mean lower prices for prospective buyers in the future, especially with new subsidies from the federal government.