The new Rivian charging station in Joshua Tree represents the future of electric vehicle charging.

At the beginning of my experience with electric vehicles, finding a charging station was more of a goal than a desire. I didn't care about the aesthetics of the place or its location; simply finding a charger was a small miracle. However, the situation has changed, and nowadays consumers, including myself, seek more comfort and services at these charging points. After all, it’s a space where you spend at least 20 minutes waiting for your vehicle to recharge. Is it too much to ask for a restroom?

Rivian has responded to this need and has opened its own chain of charging stations. The first one opened in Yosemite, California, last summer, and recently one was established in Joshua Tree, just six miles from the entrance to the national park.

As for charging, the new station has 12 CCS chargers at 900 volts and 300kW, and is available for any electric vehicle, although Tesla vehicles will need an adapter. There is space for vehicles with trailers, but if others are charging at the location, it can be tricky to maneuver. Rivian owners can pay through an app or use their credit cards at a cost of 46 cents per kWh, while vehicles of other brands pay 60 cents per kWh. Although the station uses electricity from the local grid, Rivian claims it offsets energy consumption by purchasing energy derived from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and run-of-river hydroelectricity, through a partnership with Emrgy, a company from Atlanta that installs turbines in existing irrigation channels to generate continuous energy without the need to dam rivers.

The experience at this charging station is what one would expect from such a place. Upon entering, there is a lounge with Jenga games and coffee table books to read, in addition to local products for sale and free coffee courtesy of Joshua Tree Coffee Company. Although I'm not a coffee drinker, I've been told it’s quite good. There are also snacks and drinks for sale, but you won't find typical gas station products; instead, there are garlic Spanish anchovies, mackerel with lemon and capers, organic cookies, and pesto, perfect for putting together a charcuterie board. Even the sodas are organic.

Behind the station, there is a terrace with nice landscaping and a play area for adults and children. Although it wasn't completely ready when I visited, the manager mentioned there would be hammocks and play equipment, while a four-foot climbing rock with grips was already available. The terrace offers a beautiful view of the Mojave Desert, with chollas and Joshua trees.

Moreover, if someone is interested in purchasing a Rivian, they can take a test drive, and an Adventure Lab educates visitors about the vehicles, also serving as a space for future classes and seminars. All indoor areas are air-conditioned, an important detail given the intense summer heat, and there is plenty of shade outside.

However, the location of the station doesn’t fully reflect the bohemian atmosphere of Joshua Tree. While the Joshua Tree Inn is just across the road for those planning to stay, shops and dining places, like the Joshua Tree Saloon, are half a mile away on a busy street without sidewalks.

As a resident, I can see many Rivians and other electric vehicles passing through the town, but until now there haven't been many options for recharging. There is a Tesla Supercharger station open to all EVs, and GM has installed some nearby chargers in Yucca Valley, but the Rivian station will be the first charging option in Joshua Tree. In an area that relies on tourism, where many visitors come from Los Angeles in their electric vehicles, it is surprising that it has taken so long to arrive.

With this new charging station, it will be much easier to go off-road in a Rivian. Joshua Tree offers vast desert areas ideal for all kinds of adventures, from rock climbing to soft sand rides, as well as very pleasant routes in Joshua Tree National Park. I’ve had the opportunity to drive the R1T in this area, and it performs excellently, despite not having mechanical differential locks or a low range.

For those wondering about future charging stations, Rivian has announced it will open new locations in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York. So I'm envisioning a road trip with Rivian in sight, filled with convenient charging stations where I can enjoy a soda, use the facilities, and put together a stylish charcuterie board.