Rivian to Open First-of-Its-Kind EV Charging Center and Hub in Groveland, California

The future of fueling up on the road will look much different than today’s gas stations. But what, exactly, will change? Electric vehicle maker Rivian has more than a few ideas, and will debut them in a new EV charging center in Groveland, California, just west of Yosemite National Park and near many of the park’s closet accommodations.

Given the nature of electric vehicles taking longer to top off than those with internal combustion engines, travelers will need a place to spend half an hour or so rather than just a few minutes. The facility, dubbed The Outpost, will operate as both a charging center and community hub. Customers can learn about EV charging and road trip basics, enjoy coffee and other food and beverage options more akin to a simple cafe than a typical convenience store, and spend time planning their trip into Yosemite or elsewhere while their car juices up.

Rendering of the interior of Outpost. Courtesy Rivian

For the project, Rivian repurposed an existing building that throughout its history has served as a blacksmith shop, a repair shop, and a gas station, retrofitting it for a future continuing to assist travelers and outdoor adventures en route to the nearby national park and beyond. Rivian hopes to open more Outpost locations in the future. Drivers of all types of electric vehicles, not just Rivians, will be able to enjoy the amenities, though The Rivian Adventure Network of DC fast chargers is currently open only to Rivian drivers. The company plans to open the network to drivers of other electric vehicles later this year. Rivian owners don’t even need to touch a button to charge at Outpost or any of the forthcoming 3,500+ chargers in the network, which will be installed in the coming years at approximately 600 initial sites along popular routes and highways. Rivian drivers can add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes, according to the company.

Photo Sara Essex Bradley, courtesy Rivian

This first Outpost will produce zero emissions in its daily operations, thanks to a donation from US Solar. The building will be outfitted with enough solar power to cover what it uses, which given its primary purpose as a place for drivers to charge their cars, is set to be a lot. Snacks look to be available in bulk, avoiding the use of single-use plastic bags as much as possible. Travelers will also have the opportunity to stock up on simple adventure basics and souvenirs – think t-shirts and reusable water bottles.

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