In a significant development for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, Polestar, the innovative Swedish automaker, has announced its plans to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug. By following in the footsteps of Volvo, its sister brand, Polestar joins an esteemed group of automakers, including Tesla, Ford, GM, and Rivian, who have embraced this pioneering charging standard.
Commencing in 2025, Polestar’s forthcoming vehicles sold in North America will come equipped with the same plug type found in Tesla vehicles. For existing electric and plug-in hybrid models manufactured prior to this transition, Polestar will distribute adapters starting mid-2024. These adapters will enable vehicles with the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug to seamlessly connect with Tesla’s charging stations.
Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is a great win for our North American customers! We salute the pioneering work Tesla has done to speed up the adoption and increase the popularity of electric vehicles, and it’s great to see the Supercharger network being made available in this way. With 12,000 charging points today, a number that will only keep growing, this move will greatly increase the rate of EV adoption in a key automotive region.”
While Volvo explicitly confirmed the provision of adapters to customers of vehicles built after 2025, Polestar’s statement did not offer the same assurance. Nevertheless, the technology required for compatibility exists, with Tesla’s adapter currently priced at $175.
Polestar’s upcoming model, the Polestar 3, will share its platform with Volvo’s EX90, making this decision a logical one for both automakers.
It is worth noting that the Swedish brands are the first European automakers committing to the NACS plug in North America, with Volvo also intending to adopt it in Mexico. This move assumes significance as European governments have mandated the use of the CCS plug across the continent to ensure a standardized charging infrastructure for the convenience of drivers.
In North America, where the CCS network is relatively smaller and reliability has been a concern, Tesla’s Supercharger network has emerged as the more dependable option. Following recent announcements from major American automakers Ford and GM, Stellantis and Hyundai have also expressed their intentions to consider adopting the NACS standard in the near future.
Polestar’s decision to embrace the North American Charging Standard marks a significant milestone in the quest for charging standardization. As more automakers join forces, the collective efforts will undoubtedly accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, bolstering the growth of sustainable transportation in key automotive regions.
