What Does Supercharger Open to NACS mean? A Comprehensive Guide

Image courtesy of Ford

In 2025, non-Tesla vehicles with NACS charge ports will be plying the roads. But for now, current Ford and Rivian vehicles are getting early access to the Tesla Supercharger network via NACS adapters, with other EVs slated to follow soon. Drivers of these EVs can find compatible Tesla chargers labeled as “Supercharger Open to NACS” in the Tesla app or on the Tesla website.

What is NACS?

The NACS connector is Tesla’s one-stop solution for both AC and DC fast charging. Unlike other charging standards like J1772 for Level 1 EV chargers or CHAdeMO (used by the Nissan LEAF), NACS combines these into one connector, so you don’t need multiple types of connectors. This simplifies the charging experience for EV drivers and increases the overall charging infrastructure efficiency.

Tesla Superchargers with NACS charge port can now deliver up to 500 amps at 500 volts for DC fast charging, which means much faster charging times. For non-Tesla vehicles without the NACS charge port, Tesla has introduced the “Magic Dock” in select Supercharging stations, allowing CCS-enabled EVs to charge at select Tesla Supercharger stations.

How NACS Works

Image courtesy of Tesla

Tesla vehicles are natively compatible with NACS Superchargers, but the NACS connector also works with non-Tesla vehicles via a NACS adapter. Unlike Tesla’s proprietary connector that uses the CAN bus communication system, NACS uses the ISO 15118 communication protocol which is similar to what the Combined Charging System (CCS) utilizes. This allows CCS vehicles to use the NACS Supercharger network with the appropriate adapter.

Tesla’s Supercharger V3 network, currently deployed across North America, offers up to 250 kW of charging power for DC fast charging. However, NACS chargers are designed with even broader capabilities in mind:

• AC Charging: NACS chargers can deliver up to 80 amps at 277 volts for AC charging for slower residential or workplace charging scenarios.

• DC Fast Charging: For DC fast charging, NACS chargers can deliver up to 500 amps at 500 volts so NACS-enabled chargers can support future high-power EV charging.

NACS Adoption and Expansion

In December 2019 Tesla launched a pilot program in select European cities where non-Tesla electric vehicles could charge at Tesla Superchargers using the CCS2 standard. This was a big test to see if they could open up the Tesla charging network to other EV manufacturers. Over time, the program expanded to 15 European countries and into Australia, Turkey, and China, where Tesla adapted to the local GB/T charging standard. These early tests laid the foundation for a broader charging network.

Release of Supercharger Design to Third Parties (2022)

A major step towards interoperability was taken in 2022 when Tesla released their proprietary Tesla connector design to third parties. By doing so, Tesla positioned the NACS as the default DC fast charging connector for new vehicles in North America and invited other EV makers and charging infrastructure providers to use their technology. This is Tesla’s vision of a standardized charging ecosystem that benefits not just Tesla owners but the entire EV community with faster and more convenient charging.

NACS Expansion in North America (2023)

In 2023, Tesla introduced the Magic Dock in North America, allowing CCS-enabled EVs to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. The Magic Dock, a CCS1 adapter, was Tesla’s first step toward integrating its charging infrastructure with non-Tesla EVs on a large scale. While initially a retrofit solution, Tesla's continued push for a unified charging system culminated in the widespread adoption of NACS as the preferred charging standard by major automakers like Ford, GM, and Rivian, who announced they would begin transitioning to NACS-equipped vehicles starting in 2025.

The rollout of Magic Docks allowed non-Tesla EVs to tap into one of the world's most reliable and extensive fast-charging networks. Despite the early limitations in coverage, Tesla’s efforts to retrofit its existing infrastructure to accommodate CCS vehicles signaled a shift in the company’s approach to charging standardization.

Compatible EVs and Manufacturers

Ford, BMW Group, and Genesis are the first to adopt NACS in their EV lineups. The list of compatible EVs is expected to grow as more manufacturers come on board.

Ford

Image courtesy of Ford

Ford was one of the first to adopt the NACS standard. In March 2024, Ford started an opt-in program to offer free NACS-to-CCS1 adapters to owners of electric Ford models released from 2021 to 2024. The program was originally supposed to end in June but was extended to September due to high demand. However, Ford is facing delays with some owners waiting up to 6 months for their adapters.

Rivian

Rivian started their NACS adapter program in April 2024, and the first units were delivered in the same month. Like Ford, Rivian is facing supply chain issues, with many early registrants still waiting for deliveries. Some Rivian owners who signed up in mid-2024 have been told they won’t get their adapters until October 2024.

GM

GM launched its NACS adapter on September 18. Unlike Ford and Rivian which sent out complimentary adapters, GM owners have to purchase the adapter for $225 MSRP through their respective mobile apps. The apps will also be able to locate NACS-compatible Superchargers and pay for the charging session.

NACS Charging with Adapters

As NACS continues its roll out, third party plug manufacturers are stepping in to fill the gap for EV owners waiting for their manufacturers to release NACS adapters. One of the first third-party NACS adapters available is the Lectron Vortex Plug. Priced at $199, it’s become very popular among Ford and Rivian owners who don’t want to wait for the delayed manufacturer-issued adapters.

Tesla’s Supercharger V3 and the newer V4 are both capable of delivering up to 250 kW of charging power, enabling fast, efficient charging for a wide range of EVs. NACS chargers are also capable of providing 80 amps at 277 volts for AC power and up to 500 amps at 500 volts for DC power, ensuring compatibility with future high-power EV models.

Finding Superchargers Open to NACS

If you're driving a non-Tesla EV and want to locate the available Superchargers, that are compatible with NACS, you can follow these steps:

1. Public Charging Apps

Most EVs come with public charging apps integrated, which help locate compatible EV chargers:

1. Access the Home Icon: Tap on the home icon on your vehicle’s touchscreen.
2. Select Public Charging: This will show you the nearest charging stations.
3. Find NACS Compatible Chargers: Tesla Superchargers will be listed and stations that require an adapter will be labeled "NACS adapter required". Stations not compatible will show a red alert "Station not compatible".
4. Filter Incompatible Stations: If you haven’t received your manufacturer-issued NACS adapter or don’t have it with you, you can hide incompatible stations by using the filter options in the app.

2. Tesla App

The Tesla App is another way to find NACS-compatible Superchargers:

1. Download the Tesla App: For iOS and Android devices.
2. Register Your Vehicle: Add your vehicle details to see compatible Superchargers.
3. Search for Locations: Enter your location to find nearby Superchargers that support NACS.

3. Tesla Website

You can also use the Tesla website to see charging locations and find compatible charging stations:

1. Go to Tesla’s “Find Us” Page: Go to Tesla’s website and click on “Find Us”.
2. Enter Your Location: Enter your location to search.
3. Filter for “Superchargers Open to NACS”: Filter to only show Tesla Superchargers that are open to non-Tesla EVs.

FAQs

• What does NACS mean in Tesla?

  NACS stands for North American Charging Standard.