Rivian is opening its public chargers to all electric vehicles (EVs) later this year, reminiscent of Tesla’s recent move. The decision to open the Rivian Adventure Network to other EVs was announced in the company’s […]
It’s more complicated than private network = more sales, because otherwise why would they open it at all? As a public corporation, the default assumption is that they think they’ll make more money opening the network than keeping it closed. There’s NEVI money, there is whatever backroom deals with the other automakers, there is brand prestige with NACS, there is marketing effect of getting drivers of other brands EVs to engage with their network, there is the long term view that their market share can only shrink and it’s better to ensure their customers have access to every charger, etc. I think time will show that open access is more profitable for everyone.
It’s more complicated than private network = more sales, because otherwise why would they open it at all? As a public corporation, the default assumption is that they think they’ll make more money opening the network than keeping it closed. There’s NEVI money, there is whatever backroom deals with the other automakers, there is brand prestige with NACS, there is marketing effect of getting drivers of other brands EVs to engage with their network, there is the long term view that their market share can only shrink and it’s better to ensure their customers have access to every charger, etc. I think time will show that open access is more profitable for everyone.