Volvo is joining US automakers in adopting Tesla's North American Charging Standard port, making the company the first European automaker to adopt the EV charging technology. Existing vehicles will be able to use the Supercharger network with an adapter by 2024.
Adopting Tesla's NACS
Volvo and Tesla made an agreement of adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS) to the existing vehicles of Volvo in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to a report from The Verge, this makes them the first in Europe to adopt the feature, following the adoption of several US automakers.
The company is expected to adopt the feature in the first half of 2024, where existing vehicles will be able to connect to Supercharger stations through an adapter using the Combined Charging System. The following vehicles including the XC40, C40 Recharge, and the upcoming EX30 and EX9, will all get access to 12,000 Supercharger stations.
Meanwhile, models from 2025 onwards will have a built-in NACS port. Volvo Chief Executive Officer Jim Rowan stated that he wants to offer convenience when using an electric vehicle. "One major inhibitor to more people making the shift to electric driving - a key step in making transportation more sustainable - is access to easy and convenient charging infrastructure," he added.
Other Companies' Adoption
Volvo's recent announcement makes the company the first European automaker to use Tesla's North American Standard charging port. Engadget reported that the company is joining brands from the United States, including GM and Rivian.
Only last month when Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and Volvo Chief Executive Officer officially announced the adoption of the Supercharger Network. Similar to Volvo, these companies will also be using an adapter for current designs, which will be followed by native NACS ports.
Meanwhile, other companies are still uncertain about adopting Tesla's charging technology. This includes Stellantis and Hyundai which recently told that they are still evaluating the NACS ports. Both companies believe that as of the moment, a switch from a new charging technology is not necessarily easy.
For instance, Hyundai and Porsche obtain 800-volt architectures, allowing faster charging than existing Superchargers. Opting for the NACS, the company would either have to press for "upgraded" technology or accept a less-than-ideal rate for charging.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) announced earlier today that it would make Tesla's NACS connecter the new standard. Based on a report from Teslarati, this is planned to initiate an expedited process to ensure that any supplier or manufacturer will be able to use, manufacture or deploy the charging port on EVs.
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation catalyzed the partnership between the SAE and Tesla. Sustainable Mobility Solutions President Frank Menchaca stated, "Standardizing the NACS connector will provide certainty, expanded choice, reliability, and convenience to manufacturers and suppliers, and, most of all, increase access to charging for consumers."
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