SK Signet, one of the manufacturers of electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers, has announced its plans to incorporate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector option into its entire range of chargers. This move comes as several major automakers, including Ford and General Motors, have decided to adopt the NACS charging connector in their upcoming models starting from 2025. Rivian has also recently announced a similar decision.
What sets SK Signet apart is its expectation to release a compliant product as early as 2023. This means that the first NACS-compatible charger could hit the market within the next few months. ChargePoint, another major player in the fast charger market, has also expressed intentions to launch its NACS charger in the near future.
SK Signet has already commenced the development of chargers that meet NACS standards and is on track to deliver a compliant product by 2023. The introduction of the NACS charging connector is crucial for fast charger manufacturers to stay competitive and secure orders in the evolving market. It is believed that Tesla is offering NACS kits to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to aid in the development of the first prototypes.
Jung Ho Shin, the CEO of SK Signet, stated, “Americans are increasingly adopting EVs, but the market is still evolving to provide a seamless charging experience for EV owners. SK Signet is committed to offering flexible charging solutions that simplify and expedite the recharging process for EV owners, regardless of the vehicle model they choose.”
SK Signet, which is part of SK Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate, was acquired by SK Inc., the strategic investment arm of SK Group, in April 2021. The company has further expanded its operations by establishing a new manufacturing plant in Plano, Texas, with an annual production capacity of over 10,000 fast chargers. In early June, SK Signet celebrated the grand opening of its first manufacturing facility in the United States, creating up to 183 jobs by 2026.
The Texas facility has already initiated pilot production of the 350-kilowatt (kW) DC fast charger model. It is expected to be joined by the V2 charger, which has a maximum output of 400 kW, later this year. The V2 charger was initially unveiled at CES 2023.
See also: EverCharge Endorses Tesla’s NACS Charging Connector as Superior to CCS1
Customers will have the option to choose from NACS, CCS, CHAdeMO, and MCS connectors across SK Signet’s entire range of chargers manufactured in the Texas plant. SK Signet’s website states that with two 400-kW V2 dispensers, equipped with dual-heads, and a 600-kW power electronic cabinet, up to four electric vehicles can be charged simultaneously.
Depending on the number of vehicles being charged and their power requirements, various charging scenarios are possible. This includes the ability to charge a single vehicle at up to 400 kilowatts or four vehicles simultaneously at up to 150 kilowatts each.
SK Signet showcased its V2 chargers, equipped with the upcoming Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for heavy-duty vehicles and envisioned for cars, at the recent Electric Vehicle Symposium EVS36 in California. The chargers offer multiple plug options, including CCS1, CHAdeMO, and now NACS.
