Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have announced their decision to adopt Tesla Inc’s electric vehicle charging technology in the United States. This decision follows a trend seen among global automakers, including Ford Motor, General Motors, and Nissan, who have embraced Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), marking a significant shift in the EV charging landscape.
Hyundai and Kia have committed to integrating NACS ports into their new EV models, starting in the fourth quarter of 2024 in the United States. However, the timeline for Canada differs slightly, with Hyundai EVs equipped with NACS ports becoming available in the first half of 2025, while Kia’s EVs are expected to feature this technology by the end of 2024.
This strategic alignment opens up access for Hyundai and Kia EVs with NACS ports to a vast network of over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico, enhancing the convenience and practicality of EV ownership.
Furthermore, Hyundai and Kia are committed to offering adapters to current and future owners of their EVs, equipped with the existing Combined Charging System (CCS). This move will grant them access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharging Network, with plans to roll out these adapters in the first quarter of 2025.
The decision to adopt Tesla’s NACS standard comes after Hyundai Motor’s announcement in June that it was exploring ways to make its vehicles more compatible with this charging system. Tesla’s NACS is widely prevalent, with approximately 60% of fast chargers in the United States following this standard, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
It is worth noting that the rival CCS system is supported by automakers such as Volkswagen, although discussions have taken place between Volkswagen and Tesla regarding potential adoption of the NACS.
In a collaborative effort to challenge Tesla’s dominance and leverage subsidies offered by the Biden administration, Hyundai and Kia, in July, announced a joint venture with partners including Stellantis and BMW to develop an extensive EV charging network in the United States. This initiative reflects the growing commitment of automakers to expand EV infrastructure and accelerate the transition to electric mobility.
