Volkswagen is in talks with Tesla to adopt it’s charging standard, a big move that could help standardize the plug used on electric vehicles across North America. The German automaker’s charging network unit Electrify America has already agreed to use Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) technology. At the same time, the Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar has signed an agreement with Tesla that allows its customers to access the Supercharger network.
Electrify America, created as part of the settlement of VW’s diesel emission scandal, has more than 850 fast-charging stations in the United States and Canada. It will add NACS connectors to its stations by 2025, significantly boosting accessibility to the popular plug. The NACS connector, initially developed by Tesla and formerly known as the Tesla charging connector, will join the more widely-used CCS-1 connector at public stations.
While the NACS connector has yet to become a global standard, it has become the dominant option in North America. It is already used on most of Tesla’s Superchargers, which comprise a large chunk of the continent’s fast-charging network. It has also been adopted by the likes of Ford, GM, Rivian, and Volvo, and it has been chosen as the new standard by SAE International.
The decision by Electrify America and Volkswagen is a clear sign that the NACS plug is winning out over the older CCS-1 connector. It’s also a vote of confidence for the standardization body SAE, pushing NACS as the default option in North America. The switch will likely accelerate as more carmakers opt for the Tesla-created plug.
As a result, the number of chargers that can be used by any EV in the United States is set to grow significantly, and it will become much easier for drivers to travel long distances on their electric vehicles. The fact that more chargers are supporting the NACS plug will also benefit EVgo, EVgo’s sister brand EVstation, and other companies that own a large share of charging stations. It will also boost the EVgo app’s popularity, making it easier for users to find charging stations and manage their accounts from one place. The app also shows how far away a charging station is and whether the outlet has free spots.
In addition, it can be used to track the status of a vehicle being charged at a station. The EVgo app offers all this functionality for free, a bonus for drivers. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. It has a 5-star rating with over 900 reviews. It is free to download and use, but users must create a profile to start charging. The app supports all major EV brands. Several charging-station operators have joined the EVgo platform, which has around 15,000 stations, and it’s expected to add many more by the end of this year.