Southern Utah desert is also a charging desert

[Evergreendean]

I live in Boulder, Utah. One of the most remote towns in the lower 48. In spite of this, I was able to land an early R1T back in March, 2022 by manipulating my delivery location and changing my delivery address to the service center address in Denver when I heard they were delivering based on not only reservation date but proximity to a service center. I wrongly assumed that within a year, the huge gaps in fast chargers across this region would be rectified. After all, I live smack-dab in the middle of the largest density of national parks in the US. This is the exact type of place Rivian was made to travel. Nineteen months down the road, I am still the only Rivian most folks out here have seen because EVs can't travel America's #1 scenic highway (#2 in the world) without an overnight stay in one of our tiny, amenity-poor towns to charge on one of the very rare level 2 chargers that a few of the more entrepreneurial businesses have installed. This area is a world-class camping, backcountry destination, hence the lack of lodging. The reality that EV owners can't plan a vacation out here until our charging void is filled is a shame.

If anyone who has any pull is reading this, here is what is needed. High speed chargers (Rivian, EA or even Tesla once they are opened for other EVs) in two key locations, maybe three. #1 is Hanksville, Utah, the "jumping off" point for almost all Lake Powell visitors, and the last resupply location for visitors to many iconic backcountry adventure including the Maze district of Canyonlands, Robber Roost, the San Rafael Swell, Capitol Reef National Park and more. I regularly drive an extra hour plus to recharge in Green River, Utah, fifty miles to the north of Hanksville, just to turn around and head into the backcountry knowing I can get back out. Then I get to do it again once I come out, so I can make it home again.

Location #2: Escalante, Utah. At 110 mile south of Hanksville, Escalante is the last outpost before countless adventures into the Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument and Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell). The famous Hole In the Rock Rd is absolutely off-limits to any EV unless they spend the night at the only hotel in town that has two Tesla level 2 connections. Better hope no one beat you there or you're spending two days before you can go on your camping trip. Want to head from Escalante down to Page, AZ, the southern-most end of Lake Powell? You'll need to travel an extra hour and more than 100 miles out of your way to Kanab, Utah due to the lack of charging options that prohibits you from taking the scenic route down the Cottonwood Rd. That also happens to. be the fastest route to Flagstaff, Sedona and the Phoenix metro area. These two key charging locations would open up the largest segment of American public lands to the vehicle that was designed for them.

Lastly, one more fast charger in our county seat of Panguitch, Utah would truly free up travel across southern Utah, as it would relieve travelers of having to cross an entire mountain range to get to Cedar City or Beaver, Utah along I-15 before retracing their steps to continue their journey through Utah's spectacular red rock desert. Although there is a high speed charger 70 miles to the south in Kanab, UT, most travelers coming from the north or from the east are making their way down scenic Hwys 12 and 24 to visit the two national parks and the national monument on their adventure.

I understand that our small population down here probably went into consideration when this entire area was skipped in building our charging infrastructure. This isn't really Tesla country, either. What is overlooked though is the MILLIONS of visitors that flock here annually to see four national parks, numerous state parks and the largest single piece of public lands in America's conservation lands network (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument's 1.9 million acres). This should be the showcase for Rivian's technology. For now, I am just a lonely early-adapter making big adjustments to my weekend adventures so I can make it back home safely. If you have any doubt about what I am saying, look at the massive blank area on your map of chargers. Then consider that in just 2022, almost 14 million visitors came through Utah's national parks and spent over 1.5 billion dollars on their visits. Almost none of them are coming in Rivians. Is anyone out there listening?

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[jjswan33]

This is literally like the 3rd thready on Utah charging this month.

And Utah is not alone there are charging deserts in many areas.

 

[Evergreendean]

But...this is one of the biggest vacation destinations in America, and the type of terrain Rivians are made for. I doubt there is a single location in the USA that has this level of visitation and this big a gap in charging infrastructure. It would literally take two high speed chargers to open up the largest concentration of America's public lands to Rivian owners. This topic is a big one.

 

[COdogman]

I don't have any pull, but I hear you. I feel like there are many places in the US where folks have the same exact complaints. It was always going to take more than a year to fix this problem though.

 

[Skyline]

I’m so disappointed that this area is still a desert. I wrote a long email to UtahDOT while charging in Green River and then it came back undeliverable. I need to find another email address. But as a Colorado resident my request may be ignored.
I believe the main issue for the desert is the weak electric grid In this rural area. To install a large charging station is likely cost prohibitive because of the requirement to upgrade the grid. The solution for the next few years is likely something similar to the 65kW chargers at Bluff. Although not super fast they fill a need for a level 3 charger without upgrading the grid or needing to add a bunch of batteries at the charging station. As EV owners we have to understand how expensive it is to install 4-8 350kW chargers and recognize that something is better than nothing and then lobby others to understand that we would be satisfied with something less than perfect. I believe the state is the best bet to encourage this. For profit companies likely don’t want to add in a few small chargers here and there. They also don’t want to take a hit for having low capacity chargers.

 

[jjswan33]

But...this is one of the biggest vacation destinations in America, and the type of terrain Rivians are made for. I doubt there is a single location in the USA that has this level of visitation and this big a gap in charging infrastructure. It would literally take two high speed chargers to open up the largest concentration of America's public lands to Rivian owners. This topic is a big one.

So comment on one of the other threads on the topic. Why does everyone need to make a new thread.

From Wednesday of last week... Thread
Or how about this one... Thread

 

[VSG]

Blah blah blah, my location is so much more adventurous than yours why is Rivian ignoring us?

You list your occupation as "Entrepreneur" - why don't you set up a fast charger yourself (or even just a few L2 chargers along the routes) and prove you're right that there's a fortune to be made in them thar hills?

If nothing else, the exercise will give you some clarity as to what the issues are for any business wanting to do this, and perhaps the act of trying to write a sensible business plan will clue you in on why Rivian is building out the RAN network the way it is.

 

[BigSkies]

Yea, Utah does need some love. I recently looked up Utah's NEVI plans and it's very focused on the major freeways.

There are some links for community feedback, which is probably a good place to start.

I think the plans for the major freeways are pretty good, but there's nothing in there about the remote parts of the state (which is inline with my understanding of the point of the Phase I proposals).

Also maybe start reaching out to some businesses in those areas that might be interested in hosting fast chargers.

 

[zefram47]

Yea, Utah does need some love. I recently looked up Utah's NEVI plans and it's very focused on the major freeways.

There are some links for community feedback, which is probably a good place to start.

I think the plans for the major freeways are pretty good, but there's nothing in there about the remote parts of the state (which is inline with my understanding of the point of the Phase I proposals).

Also maybe start reaching out to some businesses in those areas that might be interested in hosting fast chargers.

You can thank the NEVI requirements for that. They prioritize the interstate corridors with 50 mi distance between stations. Until that is completed you won't see the state highways get any love. The other problem, of course, is power infrastructure. A lot of those smaller towns aren't likely to have the ability to supply enough power for a 4 stall station with each giving 150 kW minimum, simultaneously...also a NEVI requirement. Some of the UT sponsored sites are 1 or 2 62.5 kW (125 kW shared) Chargepoint units in the middle of nowhere with no other charging around.. Whether that was a cost-based decision or a power-limited one I don't know, but those sites don't really contribute to meeting NEVI requirements either. Colorado had installed a bunch of the 125 kW shared CPE250 units over the years and they've been going back and retrofitting/expanding those sites to use the newer 200 kW units now.

 

[Lisa & Bob]

On a positive note we have renovated cabin in Escalante (theoldbaileyplace.com) and have a Level 2 charger on the property. Now our friend, Evergreen in Boulder, has company. I second his comment that opened this thread.

 

[Dark-Fx]

May be time to open up your own charging stations if no-one else will. If the location is as popular as you say, should be rolling in dough.

 

[Lisa & Bob]

May be time to open up your own charging stations if no-one else will. If the location is as popular as you say, should be rolling in dough.

It’s available to guest staying with us. We hadn’t thought about rolling in dough. Smile

 

[Evergreendean]

Apparently Rivian IS listening and agrees that this area should be a priority. They are coming out to Escalante next Wednesday to review a potential RAN 6 bay charger location, after a stop to look at Green River as another. I will be meeting with them and explain the utility of Hanksville as well, if they haven't figured that out. Looks like we might be getting some love out here after all.

VSG, looks like Rivian agrees that our area IS more adventurous than yours, and our repeated messages got their attention. Happy to coach you on productive communication styles if you want these kind of results instead of just tossing out snark.

 

[Q-ship]

Tesla will be building Superchargers at Bryce Canyon and Kanab. The Kanab location will also open up the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Currently, Kanab only has a few unreliable 62 kW CCS chargers. I’m sure infrastructure is a limiting factor. If you have not visited this area, it is difficult to convey just how remote it is. The OP’s hometown of Boulder still had mail delivered by mules into the early 1930s. This area was the one of the last parts of the lower 48 to be explored by Europeans. More widespread L2 charging would make a big difference. If there was widely available L2 charging at lodging sites/campgrounds and trailheads, this would take care of charging for most people while they were visiting the area. During the last round of Supercharger site voting, I suggested Hanksville as a future site, and voted for Kayenta. With Bryce Canyon and Kanab covered by Superchargers, you just need fast charging in Hanksville, ideally Torrey, and perhaps Bullfrog for the boat people. This would cover pretty much everything north of Lake Powell and west of the Canyonlands. More fast charging in Green River would be optimal, as the Supercharger site there is only a V2 and the CCS charging is a joke.

 

[Q-ship]

Tesla will be building Superchargers at Bryce Canyon and Kanab. The Kanab location will also open up the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Currently, Kanab only has a few unreliable 62 kW CCS chargers. I’m sure infrastructure is a limiting factor. If you have not visited this area, it is difficult to convey just how remote it is. The OP’s hometown of Boulder still had mail delivered by mules into the early 1930s. This area was the one of the last parts of the lower 48 to be explored by Europeans. More widespread L2 charging would make a big difference. If there was widely available L2 charging at lodging sites/campgrounds and trailheads, this would take care of charging for most people while they were visiting the area. During the last round of Supercharger site voting, I suggested Hanksville as a future site, and voted for Kayenta. With Bryce Canyon and Kanab covered by Superchargers, you just need fast charging in Hanksville, ideally Torrey, and perhaps Bullfrog for the boat people. This would cover pretty much everything north of Lake Powell and west of the Canyonlands. More fast charging in Green River would be optimal, as the Supercharger site there is only a V2 and the CCS charging is a joke.

Ideally, you would also have fast charging in Escalante, as it is about 155 miles from Bryce Canyon to Hanksville.

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