It’s not just US automakers that are hopping on the Tesla bandwagon when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Volvo has officially announced that its electric cars in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will utilize Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. Starting in the first half of 2024, current and recently announced Volvo models such as the C40 Recharge, EX30, and EX90 will be able to connect to Tesla’s Supercharger stations through an adapter. From 2025 onwards, Volvo EVs will come equipped with built-in NACS compatibility. For upcoming EVs that use the Combined Charging System (CCS) format, an adapter will be available for connection.
Volvo isn’t keeping its motives under wraps. The company wants to ensure that drivers have easy and convenient access to a robust charging network, and Tesla’s Superchargers fit the bill. According to Volvo, this partnership will grant owners access to an additional 12,000 fast charging locations. To assist users in finding and paying for charging stations, Volvo will provide support through its Volvo Cars app.
Welcome Volvo owners to Superchargers across North America??
Details about the North American Charging Standard (NACS) ? https://t.co/HTk7Si9qa0
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) June 27, 2023
By adopting Tesla’s port, Volvo becomes the first European automaker to integrate this technology. It joins the ranks of American brands, including Ford, GM, and Rivian, that have embraced Tesla’s charging standard. These companies have also promised to offer adapters for their current vehicle models followed by the integration of native NACS ports in future designs.
Tesla made NACS available for use by other companies in late 2022, with the hope that popular charging networks like Chargepoint and Electrify America would adopt the system. While that hasn’t materialized yet, NACS is steadily gaining support beyond just automakers. In fact, the state of Texas has mandated the use of Tesla’s connector on its state-funded charging stations, and SAE International is working on a standardized version of the plug.
However, not all car manufacturers are ready to fully embrace Tesla’s charging technology. Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat, has stated that it is currently “evaluating” NACS, while Hyundai is also considering its adoption. The decision to switch isn’t necessarily straightforward, as automakers like Hyundai and Porsche have developed 800-volt architectures that enable faster charging than what existing Superchargers can provide. They would need to negotiate with Tesla for upgraded technology or accept charging rates that may fall short of their desired speeds. Nevertheless, the pressure to embrace Tesla’s charging format is clearly mounting across the industry.
