Rivian plans 3,500 fast chargers, and 10,000 AC chargers by 2023

Amazon-backed electric vehicle start-up Rivian has promised to expand its two North American electric charging networks, with plans to deliver over 3,500 DC fast chargers at over 600 sites, and over 10,000 AC charging stations, all by the end of 2023.

Rivian – known for its electric R1T utility vehicle and electric R1S SUV – recently revealed its plans to build the Rivian Adventure Network, a continental network of DC fast chargers located at over 600 sites throughout the United States and into parts of Canada.

Able to add up to 140 miles (225 kilometres) in 20 minutes to its R1T and R1S, the Rivian Adventure Network connects popular routes across the United States and Canada, such as the entire Blue Ridge Parkway from Shenandoah National Park down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and popular urban routes from Los Angeles to Manhattan, San Francisco and Michigan.

These are only some of the routes planned for the Rivian Adventure Network, but according to the company, these are some of the routes to boast EV fast chargers by the end of the year.

By 2023, the Rivian Adventure Network will grow to over 3,500 fast chargers at over 600 sites, with multiple chargers at each site and many expected to be conveniently located on highways and main roads, often by cafes and shops.

Importantly, the entire Network will be powered by 100% renewable energy, relying where possible on wind and solar through partnerships with electricity providers, but resorting to Renewable Energy Certificates otherwise.

However, the Rivian Adventure Network will only service Rivian owners.

Rivian also announced plans to deploy over 10,000 Rivian Waypoint chargers across the US and Canada, which will offer only Level 2 AC chargers delivering up to 25 miles (40 kilometres) of range per hour for EVs using the J1772 plug.

Unlike the Rivian Adventure Network, however, Rivian Waypoints will be available to the public, as long as their EV uses the J1772 plug.

With over 10,000 Rivian Waypoints to deploy by the end of 2023, Rivian recently announced the first locations, with all 42 Colorado State Parks to boast two Rivian Waypoints per park, with installations expected to start in July.

Rivian recently posted a video montage of its electric R1T utility vehicle in the midst of a variety of off-road situations, such as waist-high water, sand dunes, snow and ice driving, and mountain climbing, demonstrating the vehicle’s potential as a weekend adventure-mobile.

Meanwhile, backed by investment and vehicle orders from online shopping giant Amazon, Rivian-made electric delivery vans began making Amazon deliveries last month. Part of a massive 100,000 unit order Amazon made back in 2019, the vans began their official delivery routes after several months of testing.

In addition to its massive vehicle order, Amazon led a 2019 $US700 million ($A920 million) investment round in Rivian, kick-starting the company’s efforts to develop “electric adventure vehicles”.