What is NACS? A Complete Guide to the New Charging Standard
Around this time next year, you'll probably see non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) sporting a familiar charging port. As it is now, other EV manufacturers can access the Tesla Supercharger network, albeit with a few tweaks and tricks. If you've been living under the rock for the past year and missed the big news, the previously ultra-exclusive charging network has opened its doors to a select few, and a new charging standard—the SAE J3400 or the North American Charging Standard (NACS)—is on the rise. Pretty soon, most—if not all—EVs in North America will get their DC fast charging fix at their nearest Supercharger. But how is this possible?
Overview of NACS
In 2022, Tesla released the design of its proprietary Tesla Charging Connector to the public, prompting third-party manufacturers to make their own versions of it. This move was seen as the company's initial effort to position Tesla Superchargers as the standard in DC charging. With early test runs of non-Tesla charging in Europe a success, it's just fitting that the American carmaker takes it on home soil.
Non-Tesla EVs in North America currently use the SAE J1772 for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging and the Combined Charging System (CCS) for DC fast charging. However, some models like the successful Nissan LEAF still use the CHAdeMO connector, a charging standard developed by the Tokyo Electric Power Company. In contrast, Tesla cars use one NACS connector for both AC charging and high-power DC charging. This need for different charging connectors, along with the low uptime rates of public EV charging infrastructure, puts J1772 EVs at a disadvantage.
Tesla saw this as an opportunity to establish a unified charging network that could help promote electric mobility—the North American Charging Standard or NACS. Contrary to popular belief, NACS connectors are not the same as the existing Tesla chargers. The former is actually a modified version of the latter. While the Tesla charging station uses the CAN bus, the NACS connector uses power-line communication (PLC) and has the same communications protocol as CCS connectors. This makes the NACS standard compatible with CCS-enabled EVs.
Who's Adopting It?
Image courtesy of Tech Times
In May 2023, Ford announced it is switching from CCS to NACS charge ports beginning in 2025. General Motors and newcomer Rivian quickly followed, starting a major shift in the EV charging industry. The mass exodus prompted SAE International to begin the standardization of SAE J3400, which would formalize the NACS as the electric vehicle (EV) charging standard in North America. Other electric vehicle manufacturers switching to the North American Charging Standard include:
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BMW Group, including subsidiaries Mini and Rolls-Royce
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Fisker
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Genesis
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Honda
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Hyundai
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Jaguar
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Kia
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Lexus
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Lucid
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Mercedes-Benz
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Nissan
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Polestar (Volvo)
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Toyota
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Stellantis
For the latest list of EVs joining the NACS network, check out the Tesla NACS web page.
Mercedes-Benz, BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis NV announced in July 2023 their plan to launch a joint venture creating a massive charging network. The goal is to install at least 30,000 high-power charging stations across North America’s roads and cities. These stations are expected to go live in the Summer of 2024 with both CCS and NACS plugs and will serve all EVs.
Electrify America Partnership
Electrify America, a leading EV charging provider, announced in June 2023 that it will add NACS connectors to its fast-charging networks in the US and Canada. As part of its commitment to improve vehicle compatibility and public charging, Electrify America will offer NACS connector options and ensure compatibility with their EV chargers at all current and future charging locations by 2025. To help automakers that choose to implement the NACS charging connector, the company will add the NACS connector and keep CCS-1 compatibility throughout its network. Charge Point operators will also accommodate NACS connectors in 2025.
NACS and the Tesla Magic Dock
Image courtesy of Tesla
We won’t see a non-Tesla EV with a NACS charge port until 2025, but Tesla has opened its charging network to other EVs in the second half of 2023. Today most non-Tesla vehicles sold in North America can charge at select Tesla Superchargers with a Magic Dock adapter. The Magic Dock adapter allows EVs with a CCS plug to connect to Tesla’s Supercharging network.
Tesla has announced plans to add more Magic Docks at Supercharger locations, but the number of Magic Docks has not grown much since the initial announcement. Users of the Magic Dock must use the Tesla app for payment, whereas Tesla owners can just plug and play. On Tesla’s charging map, these Superchargers with Magic Docks are marked as “Superchargers Open to Other EVs”.
NACS Charging with Adapters
As the transition to NACS continues, early adopters are releasing EV adapters to allow their EVs to charge unrestricted at Superchargers. These adapters work with existing V3 and the newer Tesla Superchargers, the V4. Both can deliver up to 250 kW of charging speeds. However, NACS chargers can deliver up to 80 amps at 277 volts of AC power and up to 500 amps at 500 volts for DC power.
Ford
Image courtesy of Jim Farley via X (@jimfarley9)
Ford started its opt-in program for free adapters in March 2024. Present and prior electric Ford models released from 2021 to 2024 are eligible for a free NACS to CCS1 adapter that will add 15,000 more DC fast chargers to their network. The registration was supposed to end in June but was extended to the end of September. But Ford is experiencing delays, and some owners are reporting their ETAs being pushed back up to 6 months after registration.
Rivian
Image courtesy of Rivian
Rivian started its opt-in program in April with the first units delivered the same month. However, supply chain issues also hit the company in the middle of the year, and some early registrants are reporting an October 2024 estimated delivery date.
GM
GM has not released its own NACS adapter and its Spring 2024 access to Superchargers was delayed until further notice. Experts believe this is due to Tesla sacking its entire Supercharger team earlier this year. On GM’s webpage about NACS adoption, the company only says “soon” for Cadillac, Chevy and GMC owners.
With NACS adapter deliveries delayed further, EV owners are turning to third-party charger manufacturers for early NACS access. The Lectron Vortex Plug is one of the first NACS adapters to work at a Supercharger. While the $199 price tag may seem steep especially with free adapters coming, some Ford and Rivian owners are willing to pay rather than wait in vain for the manufacturer-issued ones. At the rate Ford and Rivian are going, EV drivers who registered in mid-2024 might not get their free NACS to CCS adapters until early next year. If you’re one of them, third-party adapters are your best bet.
FAQs
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NACS stands for North American Charging Standard, a charging connector system developed by Tesla. It’s a universal charging connector for electric vehicles in North America. It aims to simplify EV charging by supporting both AC and DC fast charging connectors.
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NACS provides a single connector for both AC charging and DC fast charging. It’s a modified Tesla connector using power-line communication (PLC) technology, so it’s compatible with CCS-enabled vehicles.
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NACS aims to unify the charging infrastructure in North America, make it easier for EV owners to access a robust charging network. It will improve compatibility across different EV models, access to charging stations, and support electric mobility growth.
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The standardization of NACS involves formalizing it as the primary EV charging standard in North America. SAE International is working on the SAE J3400 standard, which will make NACS the official charging standard, ensuring widespread compatibility and simplifying infrastructure.
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Yes, NACS will replace the J1772 connector used for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. As more automakers adopt NACS, it will become the standard and simplify the charging infrastructure by reducing the need for multiple connectors.
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NACS chargers can deliver up to 80 amps at 277 volts for AC charging and up to 500 amps at 500 volts for DC fast charging. This range covers all charging needs from standard AC charging to high-powered DC fast charging depending on the EV.
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NACS is similar to Tesla’s charger but is a modified version. While it shares design elements, NACS uses power-line communication (PLC) for broader compatibility with CCS-enabled vehicles, making it a more universally adaptable standard compared to Tesla’s original proprietary connector.
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The CCS connector uses separate connectors for AC and DC charging, while NACS combines both in one streamlined connector. NACS also uses power-line communication (PLC), unlike CCS, which relies on the CAN bus, making NACS more compatible with a wider range of vehicles.
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A NACS connector is a soon-to-be-standardized charging plug for electric vehicles, developed by Tesla. It supports both AC and DC fast charging, providing universal compatibility with various EVs and charging stations across North America.
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NACS chargers are primarily used by Tesla vehicles but are increasingly being adopted by other automakers like Ford, GM, and Rivian.
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Starting 2025 Ford, GM, and Rivian will ship vehicles with native NACS charge ports.
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NACS is a good choice for the US because of its growing adoption and compatibility. But the power capacity concerns (currently up to 250 kW) are valid, as future high-power EVs might need faster charging than what NACS can offer.
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Rivian plans to adopt NACS by 2025, enabling its vehicles to use Tesla's Supercharger network. They are also providing NACS adapters for existing vehicles, allowing early access to this charging infrastructure, and will integrate NACS into future vehicle models.
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NACS adoption by 2025 is due to the need for manufacturers to transition from CCS, integrate NACS into new vehicles, and retrofit existing charging stations. This process involves logistical challenges and coordination across the industry, leading to a gradual rollout.