Ford's 2023 deal with Tesla, granting Ford EV owners access to Tesla Superchargers, triggered a domino effect. Major automakers, including GM, Hyundai, Rivian, and Mercedes, quickly followed suit, adopting Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS).
Current Status and Adapter Availability
While most non-Tesla owners await access, recent automaker announcements offer hope. Ford's free adapter rollout for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners has faced delays. GM now offers approved adapters for purchase via their app, enabling immediate Supercharger access for Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EV owners. Kia will provide free adapters to new 2024 EV6 and 2024/2025 EV9 SUV buyers, with existing owners purchasing adapters later. Rivian continues shipping free adapters to existing owners, with new vehicle orders including automatic adapter shipment. Volvo and Polestar offer free adapters with new EX90, EX40, EC40 purchases, while existing owners can purchase them. Nissan will offer adapters in late 2024 and integrate NACS ports in 2025 models. The fast charging race is heating up.
Future of EV Charging
From 2025, many GM EVs will have built-in NACS ports. Kia's 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 GT will also feature NACS plugs. This shift towards NACS signifies a major change in the EV charging landscape, with Tesla's technology becoming the dominant standard in North America. Black Friday deals may include EV chargers.