In a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Volkswagen has confirmed that it is engaged in discussions with Tesla to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector for its EVs in North America. This announcement follows the recent adoption of NACS by Electrify America, a charging station operator established by Volkswagen as part of its settlement for the Dieselgate scandal.
Over the past month, Tesla has successfully persuaded nearly all major American automakers to embrace its newly introduced connector standard, NACS. Ford was the first to commit, with General Motors (GM) and Rivian promptly following suit. Furthermore, Volvo and Polestar, both subsidiaries of China’s Geely, have also announced their intention to adopt NACS this week.
While American automakers swiftly embraced NACS, their European and Asian counterparts have yet to make the transition. However, Electrify America’s decision to produce charging stations equipped with NACS connectors served as an encouraging sign for Volkswagen Group, potentially positioning it as the first German automaker to adopt the standard in North America.
Indeed, Volkswagen Group confirmed today that it is actively engaging in talks with Tesla to explore the adoption of NACS. A spokesperson from the company conveyed in an email statement:
“The Volkswagen Group and its brands are currently evaluating the implementation of the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its North American customers.”
The reference to the group’s “brands” suggests that Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche could potentially adopt the NACS connector simultaneously. This development holds significant implications for the wider EV market, as the adoption of a unified charging standard would enhance convenience and accessibility for EV owners, ultimately promoting the growth of electric mobility across North America.
