From CCS1 to NACS Charge Inlet: The Great Charging Port Switch in North America

The EV revolution is gaining momentum, with major automakers announcing plans to switch to Tesla's NACS charge port for their future electric vehicles. As California and New York move towards banning the sale of new ICE cars by 2035, the need for robust charging infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent. This shift could significantly accelerate the adoption of EVs and contribute to environmental goals.

Why Automakers Switching from CCS1 Charging Standard to NACS Charging Standard?

The U.S. EV charging infrastructure faces significant challenges, with insufficient CCS1 chargers and reliability issues of CCS1 Charging networks hindering mass EV adoption. While Tesla's Supercharger network stands out, its use of NACS ports creates incompatibility with non-Tesla EVs. To address this, automakers like Ford and GM have partnered with Tesla to adopt NACS charge inlets for their future vehicles, ensuring seamless charging access at Tesla Superchargers. This move could accelerate EV adoption and alleviate infrastructure concerns. Besides GM and Ford, more and more major automakers announced their plans for their charging port switching. firstly let's take a look at the NACS Charge Inlet, how it look like?

The European Car Makers are taking actions now.

Audi
Audi has announced that it will adopt Tesla's NACS charging standard starting in 2025, allowing future Audi electric vehicles to use Tesla Superchargers. This move also includes plans for an adapter that will enable current models like the 2024 Q8 E-Tron Sportback to access Tesla's charging network. In addition to Tesla's 15,000 Superchargers, Electrify America, a joint venture of the VW Group, will begin offering NACS connections at its charging stations in 2025, adding 3,800 high-wattage chargers to expand charging options beyond Tesla's network.

BMW GROUP
The BMW Group has announced that its electric vehicles, including BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, will begin transitioning to Tesla's NACS standard in 2025. This means that cars like the BMW i7 will be able to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations. The transition will start in the United States and Canada, with adapters likely available for existing EV owners in early 2025. By the end of that year, new BMW Group EVs will be equipped with NACS ports from the factory.


Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz, the second European automaker after Volvo to partner with Tesla, has announced plans to equip its EVs with NACS ports by 2025. To further enhance charging accessibility, Mercedes-Benz is expanding its own charging network in North America, incorporating both CCS and NACS ports in new charging hubs scheduled to open at the end of 2023. To support existing EV owners, Mercedes-Benz will provide NACS adapters for models like the EQS starting in 2024, allowing them to use Tesla Superchargers before the full transition to NACS in 2025.

Porsche
Porsche, joining the rest of the VW Group, has announced that it will adopt J3400 standard starting in 2025. This move will enable future Porsche electric vehicles like the 2025 Macan EV to use Tesla Superchargers and will also provide current Porsche owners with the option to use Tesla's charging network through a future adapter. In addition to Tesla's 15,000 Superchargers, Electrify America, a joint venture of the VW Group, will begin offering NACS connectors at its charging stations in 2025, adding 3,800 high-wattage chargers to expand charging options beyond Tesla's network.


Aston Martin
Aston Martin, a luxury automaker currently without an electric vehicle, is set to unveil its first BEV in 2025. While details about the charging port type remain undisclosed, Aston Martin's recent technical partnership with Lucid suggests a potential alignment with NACS. The company plans to fully electrify its lineup by 2030.

Volkswagen & Scount
Volkswagen has joined the NACS migration, formally announcing its intentions on December 19, 2023. While seemingly a latecomer, Volkswagen's decision coincides with the SAE's formal recognition of NACS as part of electric vehicle charging standards. Like many other automakers, Volkswagen will transition to NACS in 2025. To accommodate existing J1772-CCS equipped Volkswagen models (2024 and earlier), the company is exploring NACS adapters, enabling these vehicles to use Tesla Superchargers and future NACS-equipped Electrify America chargers. This expansion will provide more charging options for Volkswagen electric vehicles like the ID4 and ID Buzz.

Scout Motors, a member of the Volkswagen Group, has announced its adoption of the NACS charging standard. While other Volkswagen Group vehicles will require adapters to use Tesla Superchargers due to their existing CCS ports, Scout's future electric vehicles will be equipped with Tesla Charge Ports from the factory. This is because Scout's first EV model is scheduled for production in 2026, aligning with the group's NACS transition timeline.

Volvo & Polestar
Volvo, the first European automaker to announce its adoption of the NACS standard, has entered a partnership with Tesla. In early 2024, Volvo will provide adapters to its existing EV owners, allowing them to use Tesla Superchargers. Beginning in 2025, Volvo electric vehicles like the XC40 Recharge and EX90 will be equipped with NACS ports as standard, providing direct access to the Supercharger network.
Polestar, a related company to Volvo, has announced its transition to Tesla charging ports in 2025. Similar to Volvo, Polestar will provide adapters in mid-2024 for existing EV owners. After the switch to NACS in 2025, Polestar will offer CCS adapters to customers, ensuring compatibility with existing CCS charging infrastructure.

America Domestic Automakers are on the Move

Ford
Ford was the pioneering major automaker to announce its transition to Tesla's NACS charging ports in 2025. During a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk, Ford executives revealed plans to offer adapters for their existing CCS1 charing inlet EVs in early 2024, enabling them to use Tesla Superchargers. Beginning in 2025, Ford's electric vehicles, including the Mustang Mach E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit van, will be equipped with NACS ports as standard.

General Motors

General Motors, the second major automaker to announce its adoption of Tesla's NACS charging ports, is following a similar rollout plan to Ford. Both companies are offering adapters in 2024 for existing CCS1 Charging sockets EVs, with a complete transition to NACS in 2025. Expect to see electric vehicles like the new Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV charging at Tesla Superchargers within a few years.

Fisker
Fisker Automotive, in August 2023, announced a partnership with Tesla to adopt Tesla ports for its models in 2025. While most other partner automakers plan to provide NACS adapters in 2024, Fisker has a slightly delayed timeline, with adapters expected to become available in Q1 2025. Built-in NACS ports will be introduced later. Fisker is currently delivering its Ocean SUV globally and has plans for the Alaska EV pickup and Pear EV SUV to launch by the end of 2025.

Lucid

Lucid has confirmed its participation in the NACS switching, beginning in 2025. Initially, Lucid Air owners equipped with CCS 1 charging sockets will gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network through adapters. Later in 2025, Lucid vehicles will be produced with NACS ports as standard. If you're considering purchasing a Lucid Air, it might be beneficial to wait until late 2025 to take advantage of the built-in NACS port.


Rivian

Despite not being a direct competitor in the traditional sense, Rivian, another prominent EV startup, has surprised many by announcing its transition to the NACS charging standard. This decision has potentially influenced some Cybertruck reservation holders to switch their orders to the Rivian R1T. Through a partnership with Tesla, Rivian will equip its R1T, R1S, and upcoming R2 platform vehicles with NACS ports from the factory in 2025. To bridge the gap until then, Rivian is offering complimentary NACS adapters to R1S and R1T owners, allowing them to use Tesla Superchargers immediately.

Stellantis
Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, has finally announced its adoption of the SAE J3400 connector, which aligns with the NACS charging standard. While the company avoided directly mentioning "NACS" or "Tesla" in its announcement, this move represents a significant step forward for future EV owners within the Stellantis group.

In addition to European and American automakers, major Asian automakers are not far behind

Toyota and Lexus
Toyota and Lexus have announced their participation in the NACS migration, with plans to equip their vehicles with NACS charge ports starting in 2025. While the current lineup includes only the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ, Toyota has confirmed the development of a three-row electric SUV. To support existing CCS-equipped Toyota and Lexus BEVs, adapters will be offered in 2025 to enable NACS charging. However, Toyota's PHEVs, such as the Prius Prime, will not be transitioning to NACS at this time.

Honda and Acura
Honda and Acura have not yet confirmed their adoption of the NACS charging standard. While their upcoming Honda Prologue EV and Acura ZDX share a platform with General Motors EVs that will adopt NACS, both brands have stated a focus on providing the best possible electric vehicle ownership experience for their customers. They are currently investigating options to ensure reliable public charging access ahead of the launch of their first volume BEV models.

Nissan and Infiniti
Nissan and Infiniti have announced their adoption of the NACS charging standard, beginning in 2025. While initially hesitant, Nissan responded to inquiries about its NACS plans by stating its commitment to providing the best EV ownership experience. The company has since confirmed that it will equip its vehicles with NACS ports, offering an intermediate adapter for current Ariya EV owners until the full transition. The Leaf model was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement.

Mazda
Mazda, having discontinued the MX-30 shortly after its introduction due to disappointing sales, is now planning a renewed push into the electric vehicle market. The automaker's announcement of NACS adoption for its future models suggests a commitment to BEVs. While no mention has been made of adapters for existing MX-30 owners, given the limited number of these vehicles, it's understandable that such support might not be prioritized.

Genesis

Genesis, a sibling company to Hyundai and Kia, has announced its adoption of the North American Charging Standard. Beginning in Q4 2024 in the United States and expanding to Canada in 2025, all new or refreshed Genesis EVs will be equipped with NACS ports as standard. This includes models like the Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80. Owners of existing CCS-equipped Genesis EVs can expect to receive NACS adapters in Q1 2025.

Hyundai
Hyundai has finally announced its adoption of the J3400 standard, following an agreement with Tesla. Starting in Q4 2024 in the United States and expanding to Canada in 2025, all new or refreshed Hyundai EVs will be equipped with NACS ports as standard. This includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5, named MotorTrend's 2023 SUV of the Year. Owners of existing CCS-equipped Hyundai EVs can expect to receive NACS adapters in Q1 2025.

Kia
Kia, following the lead of its sister companies Hyundai and Genesis, has announced its adoption of the NACS charging standard. Starting in Q4 2024 in the United States and expanding to Canada in 2025, all new or refreshed Kia EVs will be equipped with NACS ports as standard. This includes the highly anticipated Kia EV9 three-row SUV. Owners of CCS-equipped Kia EVs, excluding the 2015-2019 Soul EV, can expect to receive NACS adapters in Q1 2025.