Volkswagen Group, encompassing iconic brands like Audi and Porsche, has confirmed its shift to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for electric vehicle charging. This decision follows a series of major automakers embracing Tesla’s charging technology.
Volkswagen acknowledges the importance of standardization and is actively working on an adapter solution to facilitate its existing electric car owners’ access to Tesla’s renowned Supercharger network. The company aims to implement this solution by 2025. Simultaneously, all new electric vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen from that year onward will feature Tesla’s charging port as a standard inclusion, offering seamless integration for consumers.
This strategic move aligns with Tesla’s November 2022 decision to rename its charging technology as NACS and open it up for adoption by other automakers. Notably, Ford and GM had already embraced this standard, and now Volkswagen Group joins the league, promising its customers access to over 15,000 Supercharger charging points across North America.
The exclusivity of Tesla’s Supercharger network, a key selling point for Tesla vehicles, is gradually evolving to be more inclusive. Initially exclusive to Tesla owners, the network now caters to electric cars from various manufacturers, a trend catalyzed by European integration and reinforced by the U.S. administration’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure bill.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely recognized for its superior speed and reliability compared to other charging stations utilizing CCS plugs and the less common CHAdeMO charging standard. The company boasts a global network of 45,000 Superchargers, with 12,000 located in the United States alone.
With Volkswagen Group on board, Tesla’s attention now turns to Stellantis, the next industry giant potentially adopting the NACS standard. Stellantis owns an extensive portfolio of brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, Peugeot, Fiat, among others. As the automotive landscape undergoes a transformative shift towards unified charging standards, collaboration between industry leaders is poised to redefine the future of electric mobility.
