TESLA TECHNOLOGY INCHES CLOSER TO BECOMING INDUSTRY STANDARD AS RIVIAN JOINS ITS CHARGING NETWORK

Electric vehicle maker Rivian says it will follow General Motors and Ford and join Tesla’s charging network next year.

The startup truck, SUV and delivery van maker says Tuesday that like GM and Ford, it also will adopt Tesla’s charging connector, another step toward making it the industry standard.

Existing Rivian vehicles will need an adapter to link to a Tesla charger. But Rivian says vehicles manufactured in 2025 and beyond will come standard with a Tesla charging port.

It is another domino to fall as the auto industry considers switching to Tesla’s connector, which it calls the North American Charging Standard. At present, nearly all automakers other than Tesla use what is called a CCS connector developed with the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Tesla’s Superchargers are coveted by other automakers because it has more direct current fast-charging plugs in the U.S. than any other network, and its stations are in prime locations along freeway travel corridors.

Other automakers also are looking into the switch. On Monday, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said his company’s U.S. teams are studying the change and will make a decision in a few weeks.