One of the biggest challenges in EV design is battery capacity limitations, which until relatively recently has kept most EVs on the highway. But things are changing as batteries are cheaper than they used to be and a variety of electric trucks are on the market. Better outdoor features require non-interstate highway charging. This is exactly what Rivian has just begun in two states in the United States.
Why local EV charging was not an industry priority
When it comes to the lack of local charging options, it’s not because people don’t love rural areas. Sometimes weirdos who live in the city and never leave, most people like to go out and see great outdoors, but our EVs generally go down remote roads. I’m not very good at it.
One big issue here that leads to everything else is the limitation of energy density. One gallon of gasoline contains up to 33.7kWh of possible energy, and ICE vehicles tend to use only a small portion of their potential (the rest is lost as waste heat from radiators and exhaust). However, even if energy is lost, it is not difficult to install a gas tank larger than it can make up for, and it occupies little space under the vehicle. EV batteries can usually only be stored in the 24-200kWh range.
A typical 70kWh battery, such as the one found on the Chevrolet Bolt or Tesla Model 3, holds about 2 gallons of energy, which is equivalent to 4-6 gallons considering the wasted energy of an ICE car. However, a 70kWh battery pack is much larger and heavier than 10 gallons of gas in a plastic tank.
Another reason that has prevented automakers from using large, large battery packs is cost. Early Tesla was born by the general public as a “rich car.” More affordable options like the Nissan Leaf often ranged from less than 100 miles with a small battery pack. As a result, automakers had to strive to make up for the lack of space and budget for more batteries by squeezing more out of smaller packs.
Trucks and SUVs have been popular in recent decades, but they also tend to be the least efficient. Their block-like shape tends to be much more difficult to push air in, and having more ground clearance means even more drag. Heavier weight, higher ceilings, and lack of back sloping all exacerbate this problem. Therefore, Tesla and other automakers entering the EV did not start there. They focused on more aerodynamic shapes, lower profiles and optimized the vehicle for pavement.
Charging follows the vehicle
At first, and until around 2019, it was difficult to find a DC fast charging station outside of the largest cities for cars other than Tesla. After that, charging stations began to be installed on paved roads connecting metropolitan areas. Because there was a car there. This meant that rural and small towns had at best level 2 charging stations (and often still). In areas where it isn’t even, EV owners who aren’t within range of their home station need to find an RV park to charge and get up to 40 amps from the NEMA 14-5050 amp plug. ..
But things are getting better. Battery prices are slowly declining, and battery packs large enough to push more optimized electric trucks onto the road are now economically feasible. You can’t get something like the F-150 Lightning, the Libyan R1T, or the upcoming Silverado EV at the minimum wage, but enough people can buy them that a company can make. So they are doing well.
However, outdoor adventures where you can ride such trucks often enter areas where the interstate-focused charging network is not fully reachable. So it’s time for the network to begin its journey into the wilderness.
Rivian is now leading the price
Rivian does not do what other manufacturers do and sells its vehicles to commercial users and suburban commuters. Rivian explicitly positions its product as an “electric adventure vehicle,” and the company recognizes that it needs to fulfill its promised adventure part. That’s why Rivian is starting the process here and here with the Rivian Adventure Network I wrote earlier.
The good news that came out recently is that there are three stations in two states and the company is launching.
“We designed Rivian’s charging to support electrified adventures. These first sites allow drivers to responsibly reach some of the most breathtaking natural spaces in the United States. It shows how to do this, “said Trentwanke, Senior Director of Energy and Charging Solutions at Rivian. “In addition to scenic destinations and remote locations, fast charging deployments are designed to ensure that travelers can charge along the main coast-to-coast transport corridors. “
On June 27, Rivian opened a site in Salida, Colorado. The site has not only four 200 kW chargers, but also space designed to provide trailer-pulled space. It also includes four Level 2 “waypoint” chargers for those planning a long stay or wanting to rest the battery. More importantly, installing an EV charging station in the Rocky Mountains will not only give owners more access to the city, but also give them access to advanced adventures.
Inyokern, CA and other stations in Bishop opened on the 28th and 29th. These stations are similarly designated and give drivers access to locations such as Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Forest, Mammoth Lake, and Death Valley National Park. Again, they focused on adventure. Rivian has no plans to stop immediately with the goal of adding 3,500 stations to 600 sites in North America.
The focus on enabling adventure and traveling on secluded roads does not cost the environment too much. Although these remote areas cannot operate directly from renewable energy today, Libyan has made arrangements with renewable energy providers to bring the same amount of renewable energy used by these chargers to the continental power grid. I’m putting it in. Therefore, the overall impact on the environment is the same as if Rivian supplied renewable energy directly to the charging station.
Overall, this is a very exciting development not only for those who visit the countryside, but also for those who come out of the city and visit the countryside to decompress. It’s great to see this network continue to roll out.
Featured images provided by Rivian.
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