Tesla’s North American Charging Connector (NACS) is gaining significant traction as it becomes mandatory for companies seeking state funding in certain states.
Following Texas, Washington has become the second US state to announce that companies must include the NACS connector in qualifying for state funding for expanding charging networks.
Tesla NACS’ growing adoption
Tesla’s closest rival in the US market, Ford, was the first to announce that it would integrate Tesla’s charging standard in its future vehicles by 2025.
American automakers General Motors and Rivian followed Ford’s lead, demonstrating a domino effect of NACs adoption in the region.
In addition, charging companies across the United States are also now pledging to utilize the connector in future stations. Some of the first companies to back Tesla NACS were ABB E-mobility and EVgo.
Although NACS is not yet a standardized charging system like the Combined Charging System (CCS), automakers are increasingly interested in leveraging Tesla’s charging network. It is unsurprising, given that the company’s Supercharging network boasts over 45,000 global chargers as of earlier this year.
This early stage of Tesla NACS adoption has delighted the Alternative Fuels Program Manager for Washington’s Department of Transportation.
“I’m actually really happy about NACS and how finally automakers are gearing towards one standard. We want to provide access to as many makes and models as possible. It hasn’t necessarily been tested and certified for other auto manufacturers, so we want to make sure it’s going to work but we are planning to require NACS at our state funded and federally funded sites in the future.”
Tonia Buell, Alternative Fuels Program Manager for Washington’s Department of Transportation
Washington intends to initiate the proposal process in the fall, according to Reuters. However, the state remains mindful of the Biden Administration’s emphasis on CCS connectors.
That said, state officials are striving to strike a balance by determining the appropriate distribution of NACS connectors alongside CCS connectors. Federal regulations stipulate that taxpayer-backed charging sites must have at least four CCS connectors. The state may require a minimum of two of these connectors to be compatible with NACS.
While NACS is still working toward becoming a standardized connector, the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIn) is actively engaged in the due diligence process required to achieve this status.
See Also:
- EVgo to join Tesla NACS growing family
- ABB E-mobility to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard
- White House offers Tesla Superchargers subsidies but on one condition
- GM secures access to Tesla’s vast Supercharger network
- Ford EVs to have access to Tesla Superchargers in 2024
US states are starting to recognize the value of adopting Tesla’s charger to enhance EV charging accessibility, leading to the inclusion of NACS as a prerequisite for state funding.
The mandatory requirement of Tesla’s NACS connector for state-funded charging networks marks a significant step toward a more standardized and integrated EV charging ecosystem.
With automakers and charging companies aligning their strategies, the EV industry is poised to witness increased accessibility and convenience for EV owners across the United States.
