Since Ford signed an agreement with Tesla back in May – one that will grant Blue Oval EV owners access to the latter’s expansive and reliable Supercharger network – just about every one of its rivals have followed suit. So far, that list includes General Motors, Rivian, Nissan, Honda, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Subaru, and BMW, while Stellantis is “looking into” making such a move. Now, that list has grown yet again, as Volkswagen has become the latest automaker to announce that it will also adopt the soon-to-be standardized North American Charging Standard (NACS) that Tesla uses, rather than the Combined Charging System (CCS) that it – and other automakers – currently utilize.
Volkswagen – along with its brands including Audi, Porsche, and Scout Motors – will adopt the NACS standard on future North American products starting in 2025, and the company is also exploring adapter solutions for existing vehicles that have CCS connectors, which would enable them to utilize Tesla Supercharger stations – plus other third-party providers making the switch, such as Electrify America, EVgo, and Chargepoint. The automaker plans to provide additional details regarding model changeovers soon, too. In the meantime, as Ford Authority reported earlier this week, Ford and GM customers may gain access to Superchargers as soon as February.
“This is great news for our electric vehicle customers in the North American Region,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “This potentially provides them with access to more than 15,000 additional charging points as well as the current near-4,000 DC fast charging outlets operated by Electrify America. It would mean that customers of our fast-selling electric vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 will have access to an extensive and growing charging network.”
“Earlier this year, the North American Charging standard was just an idea,” said Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of Charging at Tesla. “Today, with the VW Group’s commitment, almost every major automotive manufacturer is onboard, rallying behind a shared vision of improving charging experiences for all EV drivers. This is only the beginning of our industry-wide efforts to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
We’ll have more on the migration to NACS soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for continuous Ford news coverage.
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