Caruso Sparks Deal with Rivian for EV Charging

Why It Matters

The collaboration gives Rivian a high‑traffic retail foothold while providing Caruso with a modern amenity that can boost foot traffic and differentiate its venues in a tightening EV market.

Key Takeaways

• Caruso will install 150+ DC fast chargers on its properties.
• Two Rivian showrooms open at The Commons and The Americana.
• Free annual parking offered to Rivian owners via Caruso Signature.
• Partnership aligns EV charging with high‑traffic retail destinations.
• EV interest surges as gasoline prices reach historic highs.

Pulse Analysis

Caruso, the Los Angeles‑based real‑estate developer behind The Grove and other high‑end malls, sealed a multi‑year agreement with Rivian Automotive to deploy more than 150 DC fast‑charging stations across its portfolio. The chargers, powered by renewable energy, will be installed over the next twelve months and will be complemented by two dedicated Rivian showrooms at The Commons at Calabasas and The Americana at Brand. In addition, Rivian owners will receive complimentary annual parking through Caruso’s Signature program and can test‑drive vehicles at on‑site “ride‑and‑drive” events, turning shopping trips into mobility experiences.

The timing coincides with a volatile macro environment that is reshaping consumer preferences. After the Biden‑era federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 lapsed in September, U.S. electric‑vehicle sales fell 46% in Q4 2025, according to Seeking Alpha. Simultaneously, gasoline prices in the Los Angeles‑Long Beach corridor surged to $7.86 per gallon—the region’s highest on record—prompting price‑sensitive drivers to reconsider electric alternatives. Analysts such as former GM economist Elaine Buckberg argue that high fuel costs make EVs a financially prudent hedge against future price spikes.

For retail landlords, integrating EV infrastructure is becoming a competitive differentiator. By hosting fast chargers and brand‑specific showrooms, Caruso not only enhances foot traffic but also captures a share of the growing EV owner demographic, which is expected to double by 2030. Rivian’s presence in high‑visibility malls signals to other automakers and developers that co‑location strategies can accelerate adoption while delivering ancillary revenue from parking, advertising and data services. As more municipalities mandate charging coverage, partnerships like this may set the template for a new era of mobility‑centric commercial real estate.