Automaker Stellantis NV STLA announced last week its decision to incorporate Tesla Inc‘s TSLA North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug into select battery electric vehicles in North America starting in 2025, making it the final major automaker to do so.
“Customers win when the industry aligns on open standards. We are happy to announce our backing and adoption of the SAE J3400 connector, a milestone for all customers on the path to open and seamless charging,” said Stellantis SVP of global energy and charging Ricardo Stamatti. The SAE J3400 connector is the official name for Tesla’s charging standard.
Until the deployment of the new charging standard, the company will provide adapters for vehicles equipped with the combined charging system (CCS) port to utilize Tesla’s supercharger network, as stated by the company.
Why This Matters: Ford Motor Co. was the first major automaker to adopt Tesla’s charging standard in May 2023, followed by General Motors Co., Rivian Automotive Inc., and Volkswagen AG, among others. By the end of December, Tesla confirmed commitments from 28 automakers to NACS. Stellantis, the parent company of renowned automotive brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat, was notably absent from this list.
With Stellantis now joining the NACS alliance, this marks a pivotal moment as Tesla’s charging standard becomes increasingly dominant within the industry. Tesla’s formidable network of over 50,000 superchargers is renowned for its speed and efficiency, capable of recharging up to 200 miles in just 15 minutes. This adoption underscores the significance of open standards, benefiting not only the automakers but also the customers who stand to gain from a more seamless, interconnected charging infrastructure.
As the automotive landscape continues to shift towards electrification, the unification around a singular standard for electric vehicle charging heralds a new era of cooperation and standardization, reminiscent of historical transitions such as the adoption of the QWERTY keyboard or the standardization of electrical outlets. Stellantis’s embrace of Tesla’s NACS underscores the inexorable march towards a unified and customer-centric electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
