Yahoo Autos Here’s When These 16 Automakers Will Switch to Tesla’s Charging Network
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
One factor slowing down EV adoption in the U.S. is uncertainty about charging. Consumers with range anxiety may have heard the buzz about the charging ports on their potential purchases becoming obsolete as the entire industry switches from the Combined Charging System (CCS) on most EVs now to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). Plugging into Tesla’s chargers gives owners access to a robust national network that (unlike much of the competition) is up and ready most of the time.
The good news is that the movement to NACS, a trickle at first, soon became a flood and automaker Tesla skeptics became believers. In late 2022, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares told me, “Any responsible carmaker will avoid by any means necessary putting his or her company at the dependence of a competitor.” By 2024, though, Stellantis was, inevitably, in line with everyone else.
The target for selling vehicles with NACS connectors built in is, for most automakers, next year. But connections can be made this year with an adapter—Ford is giving them away to customers. This is not the only bet carmakers have: Seven of them (BMW Group, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group and Stelllantis) are joining together to install a minimum of 30,000 fast-charge points in cities and on highways across North America. The first of these is slated to open this summer. “The better experience people have, the faster EV adoption will grow,” GM CEO Mary Barra said last year when the network was announced.
Already aftermarket suppliers are offering adapters to connect to NACS. The Lectron Vortex plug is $199. The company might want to clarify its statement: “Up to 150 mph in just 15 minutes.” Uh, should that be 150 milesin 15 minutes? For about the same price, there’s the A2Z Typhoon adapter. Both are made in China. According to Christopher Maiwald, Lectron CEO and founder, “Some OEMs are producing their own adapters, but Lectron wanted to be a frontrunner with third-party adapters to embrace the market.”
Here, automaker by automaker, is the NACS rollout:
One factor slowing down EV adoption in the U.S. is uncertainty about charging. Consumers with range anxiety may have heard the buzz about the charging ports on their potential purchases becoming obsolete as the entire industry switches from the Combined Charging System (CCS) on most EVs now to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). Plugging into Tesla’s chargers gives owners access to a robust national network that (unlike much of the competition) is up and ready most of the time.
The good news is that the movement to NACS, a trickle at first, soon became a flood and automaker Tesla skeptics became believers. In late 2022, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares told me, “Any responsible carmaker will avoid by any means necessary putting his or her company at the dependence of a competitor.” By 2024, though, Stellantis was, inevitably, in line with everyone else.
The target for selling vehicles with NACS connectors built in is, for most automakers, next year. But connections can be made this year with an adapter—Ford is giving them away to customers. This is not the only bet carmakers have: Seven of them (BMW Group, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stelllantis) are joining together to install a minimum of 30,000 fast-charge points in cities and on highways across North America. The first of these is slated to open this summer. “The better experience people have, the faster EV adoption will grow,” GM CEO Mary Barra said last year when the network was announced.
Already aftermarket suppliers are offering adapters to connect to NACS. The Lectron Vortex plug is $199. The company might want to clarify its statement: “Up to 150 mph in just 15 minutes.” Uh, should that be 150 miles in 15 minutes? For about the same price, there’s the A2Z Typhoon adapter. Both are made in China. According to Christopher Maiwald, Lectron CEO and founder, “Some OEMs are producing their own adapters, but Lectron wanted to be a frontrunner with third-party adapters to embrace the market.”
Here, automaker by automaker, is the NACS rollout:
BMW
BMW said last year that its fully electric BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce vehicles (in the latter’s case, the Spectre EV) “will gain access to designated Tesla Supercharger stations in early 2025.” The idea is to enable owners to find and access the Superchargers via their in-car displays, and make payment through their brand’s app.
“The plan is still for BMW EV drivers to gain access to designated Superchargers early next year,” said BMW spokesman Phil Dillani. “The first BMW with a NACS port will also arrive before the end of next year.”
FiskerThe troubled EV maker said it would install NACS ports in its cars starting in 2025.
The troubled EV maker said it would install NACS ports in its cars starting in 2025.
MORE ON FISKER NACS AVAILABILITY
Ford
Ford says that its EV customers will have access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, starting in 2024. The first cars with NACS ports will be in 2025.
The company’s EV stable includes the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit vans.
“Ford is transitioning to NACS starting with its next-generation EVs and we’ll have more detail to share closer to launch,” said Model e spokesman Marty J. Günsberg. “Complimentary adapters are shipping to customers now.” The free adapters can be reserved through June 30.
Ford EV owners can also access the BlueOval Charge Network, with more than 10,000 DC fast chargers.
MORE ON FORD NACS AVAILABILITY
General Motors
GM will start to integrate NACS in new EVs starting in 2025, but GM customers will be able to access Tesla Superchargers this year with an adapter.
GM says its customers also have access to more than 134,000 chargers through the company’s Ultium Charge 360 initiative and mobile apps. It’s not clear if GM will make adapters available to its customers.
Honda
Honda signed on to NACS last September. Its vehicles, including a new EV for North America, will have the NACS port starting in 2025. CCS-equipped EVs that are pre-2025 can plug in with an adapter.
According to Honda spokesman Chris Martin, “We are going to make adapters available, but we haven’t announced a specific plan, or whether they’ll be complimentary or not. We’re deferring closer to the on-sale dates.”
The 2024 Honda Prologue EV, a new model delivered to dealers in March, will initially ship with a CCS port, requiring an adapter.
MORE ON HONDA NACS AVAILABILITY
Hyundai
Beginning in the fourth quarter of this year, Hyundai EVs such as the Ioniq 5, 6, and the upcoming 7 will come with NACS ports.
Adapters will be available for CCS cars in the first quarter of 2025. “Hyundai will also make adapters available to charge NACS-equipped vehicles at CCS chargers,” the company said.
MORE ON HYUNDAI NACS AVAILABILITY
