South Korean electric vehicle models Hyundai IONIQ 5 & Kia EV6 generated some buzz after an independent automotive journalist spotted them in Michigan while charging at a Tesla Supercharger with the native NACS (J3400) port instead of an adapter.
NACS port integration
Independent automotive journalist Sam Abuelsamid spotted the Hyundai IONIQ 5 & EV6 in question at a Magic Dock-equipped Supercharger in Michigan.
Abuelsamid shared the spy shots on social media platform Threads earlier this week, saying that these Hyundai and Kia EVs both feature the native NACS/J3400 charging port, eliminating the need for the Magic Dock adapter.
While the EVs have heavy covers, it remains obvious that they are actually the Hyundai IONIQ 5 & Kia EV6.
This report is indeed intriguing, considering that these Hyundai IONIQ 5 & Kia EV6 EVs may be the first non-Tesla EVs to feature a native NACS port in the region.
Currently, Tesla’s NACS website indicates that two automakers (Ford and Rivian) already have access to the Supercharging network via adapters. It also asserts that other OEMs, including General Motors, Volvo, Polestar, and Mercedes-Benz, will follow “soon.”
Hyundai’s NACS adoption plans
On October 5, 2023, Hyundai Motor Group formally confirmed its plans to adopt Tesla NACS in the US this year.
Most OEMs pledged to roll out NACS adapters first before integrating the native port in their next-gen EVs. In contrast, Hyundai and Kia intended to first integrate the native NACS port at the end of 2024.
Hyundai and Kia will then release the NACS adapters to existing owners in the first quarter of 2025.
Implications
The spy photo strongly suggests that the native NACS support will be coming very soon to Hyundai and Kia EVs in North America.
However, it must also be noted that Tesla’s NACS website has not yet listed Hyundai and Kia in both the “Supported” and “Coming Soon” categories. In addition, no NACS adapter is yet available for these South Korean brands.
Despite that, seeing the IONIQ 5 and EV6 charging with built-in NACS ports suggests Hyundai and Kia might be leading the charge in adopting this new standard.
While recent changes in the Tesla Supercharger team and strategies delayed some OEM’s NACS adoption plans, the Hyundai brand reportedly confirmed that it is “still on track to deliver NACS cars in 2024.”
