Image: Rivian
Rivian has officially begun upgrading its Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs, eliminating the need for adapters when Tesla drivers charge at Rivian stations.
The upgrade kicked off last week at Rivian’s Joshua Tree Charging Outpost in California, marking the company’s first location to offer both NACS and CCS1 connectors. According to RivianTrackr, the retrofit involved replacing four CCS cabinets with NACS plugs, resulting in a total of eight CCS and four NACS chargers on-site.
Rivian plans to replicate this dual-connector setup across its charging network to ease the EV industry’s transition to the Tesla-developed standard. Next in line for NACS support is Rivian’s Hamptons Charging Outpost in New York, set to open August 7, with Yosemite’s popular location following later this summer. Rivian said its most frequented stations will offer both plug types by the end of 2025.
Rivian’s newer vehicles, like the upcoming 2026 R1T and R1S, come with native NACS ports, while earlier models will still require adapters when using NACS-only stations. The company’s mobile app and in-vehicle interface will show charger availability, plug type, and adapter requirements in real time.
The shift to NACS is part of a broader trend. Almost every major automaker has now committed to the standard, following its formal adoption by the SAE. NACS plugs are smaller, lighter, and capable of delivering up to 300 kW of charging power. They’re also quickly gaining traction outside the U.S., with South Korea’s Watter rolling out NACS connectors at charging stations nationwide.
Meanwhile, Tesla continues opening up its own Supercharger network to more third-party EVs. Just last week, Honda’s Prologue and Acura’s ZDX were added to the growing list of compatible vehicles.
Rivian’s move ensures that Tesla drivers — and EV owners in general — have more seamless, adapter-free charging options on the road.
