General Motors (GM) has recently announced its decision to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its electric vehicles (EVs) starting in 2025. This move signifies a significant departure from the prevailing trend, where most automakers, apart from Tesla, have been utilizing the Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors. Last month, Ford also revealed its plans to embrace the NACS, and now GM is following suit.
In addition to announcing the transition to NACS, GM has unveiled a collaboration with Tesla, which will enable GM owners to access over 12,000 Superchargers. However, this integration will not be immediate, as the Supercharger network will only be accessible to GM customers from 2024 onward. Initially, GM owners will need to use a NACS to CCS adapter to utilize the Superchargers. Furthermore, GM has outlined its intention to introduce a CCS to NACS adapter in the future, allowing customers to charge their EVs at existing non-Tesla fast charging stations.
GM’s commitment to integrating Tesla Superchargers goes beyond a mere convenience for customers. The company has pledged to incorporate these charging stations into their vehicles and mobile apps, facilitating drivers in locating, paying for, and initiating charging at available Tesla Superchargers with ease.
Mary Barra, CEO of GM, expressed the company’s vision for an all-electric future, emphasizing the production of numerous high-quality EVs across various market segments and price ranges. Barra stated, “This collaboration is a key part of our strategy and an important next step in quickly expanding access to fast chargers for our customers. Not only will it help make the transition to electric vehicles more seamless for our customers, but it could help move the industry toward a single North American charging standard.”
These sentiments were echoed by Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure, who emphasized the mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Tinucci highlighted the significance of providing EV owners with widespread and reliable charging options and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with industry leaders like GM to grant access to the Tesla Supercharger Network through the North American Charging Standard.
The adoption of the NACS by major automakers such as GM and Ford, along with the collaboration between GM and Tesla, marks a significant development in the quest for a unified charging standard in North America. This move has the potential to streamline the EV charging experience, facilitate mass EV adoption, and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the electric vehicle industry.
