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.
