For immediate release
Media Contact:
Peter Bartelme, [email protected] or (415) 664-1503
Adopt a Charger and Rivian Announce Collaboration to Install EV Chargers in National Park and Recreation Areas
The New Charging Stations, All Free to the Public, Will Vastly Expand EV Infrastructure at Yosemite National Park and Other Scenic Areas
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 13, 2022) — Adopt a Charger, the national nonprofit that provides free electric vehicle (EV) charging at scenic, cultural and civic destinations, today announced that American EV maker Rivian will sponsor dozens of EV charging stations in Yosemite National Park and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The collaboration will enable more emission-free transportation and support EV adoption as EV charging infrastructure is enhanced within some of America’s most popular national parks.
Adopt a Charger has already upgraded 13 Yosemite charging stations to Rivian Waypoints all free to the public, at well-known locations such as The Ahwahnee hotel. Two additional stations will be installed when the park’s Tuolumne Meadows reopens this spring. Phase two of this project will add dozens more stations by spring 2023 to locations including the parking areas for Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The second phase is supported by Yosemite Conservancy, the park’s philanthropic partner, and Yosemite Hospitality, its primary concessioner for accommodations and other services. The additional charging stations will vastly expand EV charging at the park, which previously had only three chargers.
In partnership with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, 12 chargers at GGNRA, which encompasses some 82,000 acres of ecologically and historically significant landscape in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Muir Woods, have also been upgraded to Rivian Waypoints. The stations are all high-capacity Level 2 chargers, which add approximately 25 miles of range per hour. The original installations were funded in part by the California Energy Commission.
Under the collaboration between Rivian and Adopt a Charger, Rivian will pay for the equipment and fund 10 years of operation and maintenance by the two organizations. Adopt a Charger, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, has installed over 400 chargers in 10 states, including in 26 California state parks and at major cultural institutions such as the Getty Center.
“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.”
“Sustainable practices are essential to Yosemite’s future,” said Frank Dean, Yosemite Conservancy president. “Programs like this, along with Yosemite Bike Share and our expanded composting and landfill-waste reduction, will help to reduce environmental impacts and are an important part of the support we provide to help preserve and protect the park. The charging stations will also be a visual reminder to tread lightly while visiting Yosemite.”
“On behalf of Yosemite Hospitality and Aramark, we’re delighted to support the increased availability of electric vehicle charging stations in Yosemite National Park,” said Weston Spiegl, vice president of operations for Yosemite Hospitality. “Yosemite Hospitality is proud to partner with the National Park Service and Yosemite Conservancy to preserve the park for future generations to enjoy. We want to thank Rivian and Adopt a Charger for their fantastic support of this initiative to reduce emissions from vehicles.”
Rivian plans to install a total of 10,000 chargers across the U.S. and Canada through 2023 as part of their Waypoints network, including in the majority of Tennessee and Colorado state parks as part of its program to provide accessible EV charging to those adventuring in America’s most beautifully preserved environments.
About Yosemite Conservancy
Yosemite Conservancy inspires people to support projects and programs that preserve Yosemite National Park and enrich the visitor experience. Thanks to generous donors, the Conservancy has provided more than $140 million in grants to the park to restore trails and habitat, protect wildlife, provide educational programs, and more. The Conservancy’s guided adventures, volunteer opportunities, wilderness services and bookstores help visitors of all ages to connect with Yosemite. Learn more at yosemite.org or 415-434-1782.
About Adopt a Charger
Adopt a Charger is a Los Angeles-based national nonprofit organization founded in March 2011 to accelerate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by broadening charging infrastructure. Our unique approach matches a sponsor with a host site located at a popular public destination: state and national parks, universities, museums, beaches and the like. Other Adopt a Charger sponsors include Nissan, Chevy and Southern California Edison. Our strategy is to install EV chargers in every state.
About Rivian
Rivian creates energy and transportation products and services with the goal of helping electrify the world. We design, develop, and manufacture category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sell them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships.
About Yosemite Hospitality
Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark, operates lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreational activities, tours, park transportation, and service stations under contract with the U.S. Department of Interior with a focus on delivering authentic and memorable guest experiences. Yosemite Hospitality is committed to providing park stewardship in collaboration with the National Park Service in effort to protect and preserve the park for millions of park visitors to enjoy. For more information, visit www.travelyosemite.com or join the conversation on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Adopt a Charger: Zan Dubin-Scott/[email protected]; (310) 383-0956 Yosemite Conservancy: Peter Bartelme/[email protected], (415) 664-1503
Rivian: [email protected]