Stellantis, the parent of Jeep and Chrysler, has pledged to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard, becoming the final major Western carmaker to confirm compatibility with Tesla's electric vehicle (EV) charging standard.
Starting in 2025, specific electric vehicle models under Stellantis' sub-brands will incorporate Tesla's NACS charging port and provide adapters to current owners for simple access to Tesla's renowned Supercharging network, according to a TechCrunch report.
While the details on whether these adapters will be complimentary, akin to Ford's recent decision, remain undisclosed, the announcement solidifies Tesla's quest to establish its charging standard as the predominant one in North America.
(Photo : Handout/Stellantis via Getty Images) In this handout image provided by Stellantis, range of electric vans from Stellantis brands Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Vauxhall lined up outside the Ellesmere Port Manufacutirng plant, as Ellesmere Port marks the start of electric vehicle production on September 7, 2023 in Ellesmere Port, England.
This pivotal declaration follows Tesla's groundbreaking initiative in November 2022, allowing other automakers access to its extensive Supercharger network by incorporating the NACS port into their EVs. Stellantis joins the league of major players such as Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as newcomers Rivian and Lucid, in adopting the NACS standard.
The culmination of this transition towards NACS adoption, with Stellantis following Volkswagen's lead in December, leaves only a handful of smaller players and those with limited EV lineups as the remaining holdouts.
Stellantis Following NACS Adoption Trend
In tandem with these developments, Stellantis' decision comes in the wake of Mazda aligning with Tesla's charging standard and Volkswagen embracing the NACS in December, according to Teslarati. Recent significant automobile adoptions heightened Stellantis' move's expectations. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis' IONNA EV charging network gained regulatory permission.
This collaborative initiative seeks to establish an impressive 30,000 fast-charging stations, with aspirations to rival and potentially surpass the Tesla Supercharger network. The initial construction of IONNA EV charging stations is slated for completion by the end of this year.
BREAKING: Stellantis has announced they will adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (J3400). This means all major automakers that sell in the US have now officially announced NACS adoption.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 12, 2024
Stellantis customers will be able to access 15,000+ Superchargers in NA in 2025. pic.twitter.com/wCvLQod9an
In May, Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, announced that future BEVs would incorporate Tesla's charging hardware, giving them access to the Supercharger network, which set off a larger trend of major automakers adopting the NACS standard. The momentum gathered pace, with other automakers joining the bandwagon throughout the latter half of 2023.
Mercedes, Stellantis Battery JV Nears Deal for European Expansion
In a related development, Stellantis NV and Mercedes-Benz Group AG's joint venture, Automotive Cells Company SE (ACC), is reportedly close to securing a sizeable €4.4 billion ($4.7 billion) in debt for its extensive ventures across Europe.
Engaged in discussions with various banks, ACC aims to formalize a debt agreement imminently. The funds acquired will be pivotal in expanding facilities in France and establishing new sites in Germany and Italy, per Bloomberg.
The proposed financial support from esteemed institutions like BNP Paribas SA and Bpifrance underscores the significance of ACC's €7 billion ($7.5 billion) investment to fortify Europe's EV supply chain. Additionally, Stellantis and Mercedes are poised to increase their equity stakes in ACC, indicating a shared commitment to the venture's success.
