Rivian is making steady progress in its mission to unify the electric vehicle charging experience across North America. The company is actively retrofitting its proprietary DC fast-charging infrastructure, known as the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN), to replace aging CCS connectors with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS).
As pointed out by @AlejandroEV66, recent data shows that at least 23 Rivian Adventure Network sites — roughly 16% of the entire network — have now been retrofitted with NACS connectors. This means EV drivers with NACS ports can simply plug in without needing a bulky adapter. You can even track the progress yourself through a live list of NACS-equipped RAN sites to see which locations have made the switch.
The Shift to the North American Charging Standard
Rivian’s journey toward NACS began back in 2023 when the company officially joined the growing list of automakers adopting Tesla’s connector. At the time, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said, "We’re excited to work with Tesla and to see collaborations like this help advance the world toward carbon neutrality. 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."
As part of this commitment, Rivian announced that all R1 vehicles from 2025 onwards would be equipped with native NACS ports. This transition also paved the way for the long-awaited R2 midsize SUV, which is built on a completely new platform and will feature a built-in NACS port when it launches later this month. The R2 is also expected to be a tech powerhouse, utilizing next-generation eSIM technology for constant connectivity.
Converting the Adventure Network
While Rivian owners have already gained access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network, the company is still focused on its own branded charging experience. Reports from the field, such as those from @RivianUpdates, show that stations are being converted overnight. In one instance, a station that was entirely CCS1 one day had four of its fourteen stalls converted to NACS by the next.
This retrofitting process is crucial for the company's future. By equipping its own stations with NACS, Rivian ensures that its newest vehicles — and those from other manufacturers like Ford or GM — can charge seamlessly. While the company is also exploring wireless charging to potentially eliminate ports altogether in the future, the immediate focus is clearly on standardizing the plug-in experience.
A More Convenient Future
Standardizing on NACS is a win for everyone. It reduces the "range anxiety" often felt by new EV owners and simplifies the hardware needed in the vehicle. As more RAN sites come online with the new connectors, the distinction between "Tesla charging" and "everyone else" will continue to fade.
Rivian is positioning itself as a leader in this transition, ensuring that whether you’re driving an original R1T or the upcoming R2, finding a fast, reliable charge is easier than ever.
