Introducing Rivian Charging Outposts

A first-of-its-kind charging site near Yosemite

By Rivian

July 19^th, 2024

In the charming, historic gold rush town of Groveland, California, Rivian has restored an abandoned gas station to create our first Charging Outpost -- a unique, new kind of charging site designed for drivers to not just charge their EVs but to rest and refresh before hitting the road again.

During peak travel seasons, thousands of visitors pass through Groveland each day on their way to nearby adventures, most notably en route to Yosemite National Park 24 miles to the east. The Rivian Yosemite Charging Outpost will be open to the public offering a host of amenities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with 24-hour access to high-speed charging for Rivian owners.

Inside, visitors will find an inviting experience reminiscent of Rivian spaces across North America. There is a lounge area where guests can sit and relax while enjoying a book from an onsite library. Furniture is both comfortable and sustainable, made of upcycled, second-hand sleeping bags and puffer coats, and tables made of compressed sawdust.

The Charging Outpost also features Rivian merchandise and a “make your own” trail mix available for purchase, as well as complimentary coffee and a water bottle refill station.

Outside, visitors will find our five DC fast chargers and restrooms available 24 hours a day, as well as native plants and educational games that teach about sustainability.

The space’s design and thoughtfulness around sustainability help elevate the charging experience beyond that of your typical gas station or highway rest stop, said Liz Guerrero, Senior Director of Environments at Rivian.

“As much as we want to keep people moving on their journey, we also want to make sure they know that when they stop at one of our Charging Outposts, they’re in for a relaxing and recharging pit stop,” Guerrero said. “We want people to feel really good about the experience and for it to add to their journey.”

In addition to the new Yosemite Charging Outpost near the west entrance of the national park, Rivian recently opened a Rivian Adventure Network charging site near the eastern entrance of Yosemite in Lee Vining, California. Rivian has also installed 58 Waypoints chargers across 11 sites at popular destinations within the Yosemite Valley, providing expanded access to Yosemite National Park and unlocking even more electric adventures to one of the largest and most undisturbed natural habitats in the Sierra Nevada.

“Rivian is investing in expanding access to charging to lead the EV industry towards better EV ownership experiences,” said Paul Frey, VP of Propulsion, Charging, and Adventure Products at Rivian. “Our new Yosemite Charging Outpost is the latest and most exciting example showing how we're expanding our Rivian Adventure Network to serve areas most likely to be on your road trip bucket lists."

Inspiring destinations – and the inspiring Rivian owners who travel there – are always top of mind criteria when choosing where to put charging sites and outposts, said Denise Cherry, VP of Experience Design at Rivian.

“When thinking about the future of travel and road infrastructure, we see Charging Outposts becoming super ubiquitous,” Cherry said. “It’s such a unique way to experience our brand and our mission.”

“When we looked at where we want to put Charging Outposts, it is always in support of getting you to your next adventure.”

History in Motion

Rivian’s new Charging Outpost was originally the site of a blacksmith shop in 1870, a little over 20 years after Groveland got its start as a mining camp during the California Gold Rush era. An integral part of the community, the blacksmith shop created and repaired metal tools, utensils, wagons, and other objects that were a part of daily life.

When automobiles came along decades later, the building became an auto repair shop and then a gas station. Knowing the spot had always served as a transportation hub to the community and those passing through is what drew Rivian to the project and wanting to restore it, said Guerrero.

“We certainly fall in love and gravitate toward buildings and communities that have a story or an opportunity to breathe new life into something that once was,” Guerrero said. “That’s why we fell in love with our Venice space and the South Coast Theater in Laguna. We’re always asking how we can give back or become stewards of things that existed before us. We’re so excited to join the existing fabric of the Groveland community.”

A Sustainable Stop

During the restoration, teams at Rivian worked to create the minimum amount of waste when removing materials or using new ones.

As visitors pull up to the new Yosemite Charging Outpost, they’ll be greeted by native plants that encourage pollinators to stop by. The materials that made up the old parking lot and sidewalk have been repurposed into the site’s retaining wall.

The building also utilizes passive cooling, a process that uses a building’s design to help control the temperature, said Cherry.

“It gets quite hot and cold here, but we’ve designed the building to be pretty resilient,” she said. “You’re not blasting the heat or blasting the AC year-round. It remains comfortable and helps reduce impact on the planet.”

The team has also incorporated learning moments for visitors, with educational games that teach kids about the life span of materials and how long it takes for something to decompose.

“It was fun to sit and consider the things that people would want to do while they are charging,” said Guerrero. “We were always thinking about places to eat outside, a place for kids to play and engage, or a place for pets to take a walk and stretch their legs.”

What's Next?

The Yosemite Charging Outpost is the first of several Charging Outposts Rivian plans to open in and around national parks and other high-traffic areas across the country.

“Every Charging Outpost we create will be near incredibly beautiful and inspiring destinations,” Cherry said. “We want to make it a place where you will be refreshed and inspired during and after your stop.”

Anyone is invited to stop by a Charging Outpost, whether you are an EV owner today or not, said Guerrero.

“We want to support local communities or anyone traveling to these destinations, as well as making the charging experience even better than it is today,” Guerrero said.