Electrify America announced its plan on Thursday to incorporate the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector into its fast-charging networks by 2025.
This move underscores Electrify America’s commitment to expanding charging solutions for current and future electric vehicle drivers and promoting interoperability within the industry.
Notably, the company is known as the US‘ second-largest EV fast-charging network, following Tesla Superchargers.
Continued support for CCS and NACS integration
According to the brief press release, Electrify America will continue providing the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector across its charging network while accommodating automakers’ adoption of NACS charging ports.
The company aims to offer a NACS connector option at existing and future charging stations by 2025, facilitating broader charging accessibility.
Embracing industry-wide standards
Electrify America President and CEO Robert Barrosa emphasized the company’s dedication to establishing an inclusive, open hyper-fast charging network in the continent.
“Since our founding, we have focused on building an inclusive and open hyper-fast charging network to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles. We look forward to continuing to support industry-wide standards that increase vehicle interoperability and streamline public charging.”
Robert Barrosa, Electrify America President, and CEO
Electrify America is actively collaborating with The Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) and SAE International. The company has also recently joined the newly formed National Charging Experience Consortium (ChargeX). Through these partnerships, the company aims to contribute to improving the national charging infrastructure and the overall EV ownership experience.
Enabling EV industry growth
Electrify America’s decision to incorporate the NACS connector into its fast-charging network aligns with its commitment to driving EV adoption and delivering ultra-fast charging capabilities for all EV models.
Currently, Electrify America operates more than 850 charging stations with approximately 4,000 individual chargers across the United States and Canada. These stations offer charging speeds of up to 150 kilowatts (kW) and 350 kW, making them some of the fastest charging options available today.
Electrify America aims to support the growth of the EV industry by offering a wider range of charging choices. As the implementation of the NACS connector progresses, Electrify America will provide further updates on its developments, along with plans for station updates in the coming months.
Collaboration and evolution
Major automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Volvo, and Polestar have already announced their plans to join Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network and embrace the North American Charging Standard connector for their upcoming EV models.
Other companies, including Stellantis and Hyundai, are also considering joining Tesla’s network, further indicating the growing trend toward standardization.
Additionally, ChargePoint has announced plans to offer Tesla connectors for charging site hosts by late 2023. While most of its network currently consists of slower “Level 2” chargers, the integration of Tesla connectors highlights the industry’s shift towards embracing standardized charging solutions.
Moreover, SAE International’s recent move to establish performance standards for Tesla’s charging connectors signifies another step towards standardization. Despite the initial development of the CCS connector under SAE standards, the industry is now demonstrating its alignment with Tesla’s charging connector.
Tesla’s Supercharger advantage
Tesla’s Supercharger network has become highly coveted by other automakers due to its extensive coverage and abundant direct current fast-charging plugs across the US.
These strategically located stations along freeway travel corridors offer unparalleled convenience for EV drivers.
According to the Department of Energy, Tesla’s Supercharger network boasts 1,797 stations and over 19,000 plugs nationwide.
See Also:
- Volvo announces plans to adopt Tesla-developed NACS for its EVs in North America
- SAE sets performance standards for Tesla NACS, paving the way for industry standardization
- Tesla’s NACS connector becomes mandatory for state funding, encouraging adoption by automakers
- Stellantis may join the growing NACS family, but not so soon
- Rivian emerges as the latest automaker to join Tesla’s charging network
The momentum towards adopting the Tesla plug as the standard connector in the US will certainly continue to persist. However, EVs may still need to keep the CCS port and plug to support both connectors during a transitional period.
The EV charging landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by collaborative efforts and a shared goal of facilitating a sustainable future of interconnected charging infrastructure.
