Major Shift in EV Charging: Volkswagen Group Adopts Tesla Standard

The 大众 , encompassing brands like Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Scout Motors, has announced a significant transition in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Starting in 2025, these brands will adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS), aligning with a trend seen across major automakers.

This move by one of the largest players in the automotive industry marks a turning point in EV charging standardization. It signals a shift towards a more unified charging infrastructure, which is crucial for the widespread adoption of EVs.

Expanding Access and Compatibility

Exclusive access to the Tesla supercharging infrastructure used to be a key USP for one of the world’s leading EV makers. However, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law bill changed that by making cross-compatibility a requirement to qualify for funding from its $7.5 billion investment in the EV industry.

Now, the adoption of Tesla 's NACS will provide drivers of Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Scout Motors vehicles with access to over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger stations across North America. This is in addition to the existing 3,800 DC fast charging outlets run by Electrify America and Electrify Canada, subsidiaries of Volkswagen Group.

Volkswagen Group has also made a commitment to provide adapters for existing models with Combined Charging System (CCS) ports. This will enable owners of some older EV models to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger network.

Benefitting current EV owners and future buyers, this opens the way for a seamless transition to the NACS standard.

The Broader Impact on the EV Market

This decision was largely prompted by the growing need for reliable and widespread charging infrastructure in the EV market. As more automakers adopt NACS, Tesla's solution is becoming a de facto standard. The compatibility and convenience of a universal charging infrastructure is a boon for individual EV automakers and the industry as a whole.

This trend is reflected in similar moves made by other major industry players. ChargePoint has recently started a rollout of NACS support across its EV charging network, for example. There is also a collaborative effort between Ford and Xcel to deploy 30,000 additional high-speed chargers in the U.S. and Canada by 2030.

Simultaneously, Pilot, EVGo, and GM have launched 25 locations offering 100 fast-charging stalls through 2023. As part of the plan, another 200 locations will be targeted by the end of 2024.

These developments will nearly double the number of available high-speed chargers, making owning and driving EVs more accessible than ever.

The Last Major Holdout: Stellantis

Stellantis, owner of Alfa Romeo, Opel, Jeep, Dodge, and Maserati, is the only major automaker yet to adopt the NACS plug. It still seems entirely committed to the CCS charging port.

However, given the industry's direction, it seems inevitable that they will adopt the NACS plug. Access to Tesla’s superior charging infrastructure will likely become a make-or-break factor in consumer EV buying decisions.

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