Thank you Rivian Joshua Tree Charging Outpost, from a wildfire evacuee (Mach-E owner)

[Administrator]

Nice message posted on affiliate site Macheforum.com by an LA wildfire evacuee:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...e-charging-outpost-from-a-fire-evacuee.42186/

I camped out for the past week at a friend's place in Joshua Tree to escape the Palisades Fire in LA (so thankful for good friends and that my place was spared).

Rivian is offering free DC fast charging to folks in the SoCal area to help evacuees. It's a very thoughtful gesture on their part which I happily took advantage of a couple of times.

It was also a great opportunity to check out the Rivian Charging Outpost, by far the nicest charging experience I've ever had. They have a lounge with comfortable seating, free wifi & coffee, books, games, snacks & items for purchase, an outdoor patio, restrooms, and a friendly employee running the place. I was also impressed by the very hip playlist they were playing with non-mainstream selections (Thundercat!).

They have an R1T to check out - it was my first time sitting in one, and the interior is gorgeous. I especially liked the wood dash and the overall Scandinavian design vibe.

https://rivian.com/spaces/joshuatree

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[CBRacerX]

If I didn't have an R1 I would probably have a Mach-E (it's wife approved).

 

[sfvR1S]

Tried to charge my Bolt EUV at the Buttonwillow station last night, but didn't work. CS said it was only for Rivians.

Had I known I would've brought my NACS adapter with me and would've charged at the Tesla charger. Had to use chargepoint 62.5 kwh.

My fault for assuming all RAN's were open to other EVs.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Tried to charge my Bolt EUV at the Buttonwillow station last night, but didn't work. CS said it was only for Rivians.

Had I known I would've brought my NACS adapter with me and would've charged at the Tesla charger. Had to use chargepoint 62.5 kwh.

My fault for assuming all RAN's were open to other EVs.

Unfortunately, only the newer RAN charging units can support non-Rivian vehicles. I don't know if Rivian has updated their charging map to show non-Rivian compatible units, but you're looking for sites like Joshua Tree that have the much taller v1.5 chargers. This is similar to how Tesla v1 and v2 super chargers are Tesla exclusive and cannot be used by others.

 

[CrazyOne]

I prefer better availability and fair price to free charging. Free charging brings in a set of people who would charge at L3 charger than charge at home or another competitor. I saw almost all spots at a supercharger in use at local Fred Meyer. Idk what's with that. Also VWs charging for free at EA.

 

[CompilerBreak]

Unfortunately, only the newer RAN charging units can support non-Rivian vehicles. I don't know if Rivian has updated their charging map to show non-Rivian compatible units, but you're looking for sites like Joshua Tree that have the much taller v1.5 chargers. This is similar to how Tesla v1 and v2 super chargers are Tesla exclusive and cannot be used by others.

I didn't see it in the app, but on the website it'll say if it is Rivian vehicles only. Not the best, but can be looked up https://rivian.com/experience/charging#ran

 

[electrictaco]

Tried to charge my Bolt EUV at the Buttonwillow station last night, but didn't work. CS said it was only for Rivians.

Had I known I would've brought my NACS adapter with me and would've charged at the Tesla charger. Had to use chargepoint 62.5 kwh.

My fault for assuming all RAN's were open to other EVs.

Also, those Buttonwillow Tesla chargers are Tesla only... so the NACS adapter wouldn't have helped. And again, at best the Bolt peaks at around 55kW, so the ChargePoint 62.5kW CPE250s are more than enough for that vehicle.

 

[Joules Burn]

Also, those Buttonwillow Tesla chargers are Tesla only... so the NACS adapter wouldn't have helped. And again, at best the Bolt peaks at around 55kW, so the ChargePoint 62.5kW CPE250s are more than enough for that vehicle.

 

[electrictaco]

That Tesla site is 10 miles away from the Rivian Buttonwillow site. There’s an incompatible one right next to Rivian and the ChargePoint charger.

 

[Joules Burn]

That Tesla site is 10 miles away from the Rivian Buttonwillow site. There’s an incompatible one right next to Rivian and the ChargePoint charger.

The Tesla app would have taken him down the road.

 

[DCFC]

I prefer better availability and fair price to free charging. Free charging brings in a set of people who would charge at L3 charger than charge at home or another competitor. I saw almost all spots at a supercharger in use at local Fred Meyer. Idk what's with that. Also VWs charging for free at EA.

It's free temporarily, just to help those affected by the wildfires.

 

[Joules Burn]

My heart goes out to those being ravaged by the fires. I don’t have friends or family presently being forced out but they are looking over their shoulder.

I have sympathies with folks who have to flee the situation. Electrical infrastructure is already marginal in this State despite mandates for EV conversion. The present EV charging providers, though numerous for similar demographics, could provide a masters thesis concerning ineptitude in execution of service. Elon, love him or hate him, has the most reliable and numerous stations in the State.

When you have to navigate several apps to source a reliable provider, something has to change to implement EV acceptance. Disaster or not.

 

[Fmc]

I RAN in yesterday as well. Felt guilty using free charging so I spent money in the store. Hope all enjoy the space.

 

[CharonPDX]

If I didn't have an R1 I would probably have a Mach-E (it's wife approved).

There are a *LOT* of "Mach-E plus Rivian R1" households.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Tried to charge my Bolt EUV at the Buttonwillow station last night, but didn't work. CS said it was only for Rivians.

Had I known I would've brought my NACS adapter with me and would've charged at the Tesla charger. Had to use chargepoint 62.5 kwh.

My fault for assuming all RAN's were open to other EVs.

I think at this point only the Joshua Tree RAN is open to all EVs.

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