Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge Motorcycles has recently announced its decision to join Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) network, becoming the first electric motorcycle maker to do so. This move follows a series of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers embracing Tesla’s charging connector, solidifying it as the standard for EV charging in the United States.
Verge Motorcycles is set to enter the US market later this year, and the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Marko Lehtimäki, draws parallels between Verge and Tesla’s charging network, stating, “We have been following with interest the discussion about the future of the charging infrastructure and Tesla’s decision to open up its NACS charging standard. Providing our customers with a comprehensive and easy fast charging system is vital in terms of Verge’s growth. We are currently preparing to enter the US market, and as the Tesla of motorcycles, this decision seemed like a natural solution for us.”
Highlighting the significance of Tesla’s NACS network, Verge’s Chief Operating Officer in the US, Pekka Parnanen, emphasizes the company’s commitment to customer service. “Total customer service is everything for Verge. We want Verge owners to have access to the most extensive fast charging system in North America, which is why we plan to utilize Tesla’s network of 17,000 charging stations.”
Late last year, Tesla introduced its proprietary connector as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) to be adopted across the region. This move aimed to establish a unified charging standard, and recently, SAE International announced its intention to officially standardize the NACS connector, reducing its dependence on Tesla.
Verge Motorcycles’ decision to adopt the NACS connector is noteworthy, considering the motorcycle industry’s historical lag in adopting technological advancements compared to the automotive sector. Features like anti-lock brakes took significantly longer to become standard in motorcycles. Furthermore, electric motorcycles have struggled to gain a comparable market share to electric cars.
With Verge Motorcycles leading the way in utilizing the NACS connector for charging, other major electric motorcycle manufacturers, such as Zero, Energica, and Harley-Davidson, may consider following suit. This collective adoption could accelerate the integration of electric motorcycles into the growing charging infrastructure, further promoting the widespread use of electric two-wheelers.
