Adopt a Charger, Rivian Expand Charging Network With Unique Approach

Adopt a Charger is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011. The organization accelerates widespread EV adoption through the proliferation of public, fee-free electric car chargers which are “adopted” by sponsors.

The adopting of chargers is a novel approach not currently used by many other similar EV adoption nonprofits. The sponsors are corporations, organizations and individuals. These sponsors donate funds used to install and maintain EV chargers in parks, museums, beaches and other widely used public places. The organization also accepts donations from interested parties to further the cause, without becoming a sponsor.

Adopt a Charger celebrated its tenth anniversary last year. Since that time, the organization has installed over 400 chargers in 10 states, including in 26 California state parks and at cultural institutions such as the Getty Center.

The choice of state parks seemed a perfect choice for outdoorsy electric truck maker Rivian. Adopt a Charger worked with Rivian in the past to upgrade 13 charging stations in Yosemite National Park to Rivian Waypoints, all free to the public.

Last week, Adopt a Charger announced that Rivian would work with the nonprofit to sponsor dozens of EV charging stations in Yosemite National Park and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a U.S. National Recreation Area protecting ecologically and historically significant landscapes surrounding the San Francisco, California Bay Area.

“Adopt a Charger’s mission is to enable zero-emission travel, accelerate EV adoption and encourage interaction between the EV-curious and owners, who are the vehicles’ best salespeople,” said Adopt a Charger founder and executive director Kitty Adams Hoksbergen. “Due to their sometimes-remote locations, EV charging is difficult to commercialize at parks, and installations can be complicated and expensive. Since our founding in 2011, Yosemite has been our most requested charging location. I am grateful to Rivian for a commitment that gives visitors the confidence to choose a more climate-friendly option when visiting this spectacular park.”

ADOPT A CHARGER AND RIVIAN ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION TO INSTALL EV CHARGERS IN NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION AREAS

The new stations are high-capacity Level 2 EV chargers, which provide roughly 25 miles of range per hour. This second phase of the Rivian and Adopt a Charger agreement was supported by the Yosemite Conservancy, and Yosemite Hospitality. The Yosemite Conservancy is the park’s philanthropic partner. Yosemite Hospitality is the primary organization providing concessions and other services.

Under the terms of the Rivian and Adopt a Charger project, Rivian will pay the costs for the equipment and fund 10 years of operation, as well as maintenance by the company and nonprofit.

Rivian has announced plans to install 10,000 more EV chargers across the U.S. and Canada through 2023 as part of their Waypoints network. Rivian electric trucks have been reported to be released from March 2022 through September 2022. Their trucks are designed for outdoor adventures, and include amenities such as a pull-out kitchen.