Stellantis to Adpot Tesla’s NACS Charging Plug by 2025
Stellantis, a prominent multinational automaker, has officially announced its intention to transition to Tesla’s NACS charging plug for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025. This decision marks a significant shift towards a unified standard for EV charging in the United States, solidifying NACS as the country’s preferred choice.
Embracing the Change
The conglomerate revealed that “select models” from popular brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, among others, will make the switch by the calendar year 2025, aligning with the 2026 model year. Stellantis will also provide charging adapters to accommodate EVs using the existing CCS standard, which remains widely adopted in countries outside the U.S. Interestingly, Tesla itself utilizes CCS in many international markets. Moreover, both Tesla’s NACS and the CCS connectors will be supported by Ionna, a charging network financially backed by various automakers, including Stellantis. Ionna plans to inaugurate its first 30,000 charging points in the U.S. this year.
Industry-wide Transition
Stellantis joins the league of prominent automotive players, including Ford and General Motors, in committing to Tesla’s charging standard. This move positions Stellantis as one of the final major contenders in the U.S. market to confirm the transition. Other key players, such as Hyundai-Kia from Korea, Japanese giants like Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, as well as major German automakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and the VW Group, have already pledged to adopt Tesla’s standard. Even Volvo, under Chinese ownership, plans to integrate the NACS standard into its U.S.-bound vehicles.
Tesla’s Charging Network Dominance
The allure of Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network, boasting nearly 22,000 stalls as of October 2023, per The Motley Fool, has been a primary driver behind this industry-wide adoption. Despite not matching some competitors like Electrify America in terms of 350-kilowatt fast-charging speeds, Tesla’s widespread charger deployment compensates for its slightly slower charging rates.
Future of EV Charging
While Ionna, as a competitor to Electrify America, aims to expand its network coverage, it will take time to reach the scale and efficiency of Tesla’s infrastructure. The industry is witnessing a gradual but sure shift towards standardized EV charging solutions, driven by the need for widespread accessibility and reliability.
Conclusion
As Stellantis gears up to transition to Tesla’s NACS charging plug by 2025, the automotive industry is witnessing a unification towards a common EV charging standard. The future appears bright for electric vehicle owners as major automakers embrace standardized charging solutions, inspired by Tesla’s pioneering approach.
FAQ
1. Why is Stellantis switching to Tesla’s NACS charging plug?
Stellantis aims to align with the emerging industry standard for EV charging in the U.S., leveraging Tesla’s NACS plug for enhanced compatibility and network support.
2. When will Stellantis implement the transition to Tesla’s charging plug?
Stellantis plans to roll out the switch to Tesla’s NACS plug starting from the calendar year 2025, coinciding with the 2026 model year for selected models.
3. How does Tesla’s charging network compare to competitors like Electrify America?
While Tesla’s chargers may not match the top speeds offered by some competitors, the widespread accessibility and coverage of Tesla’s Supercharger network make it an attractive choice for many EV owners.
