Major shift in EV landscape as Volkswagen Group embraces North American Charging Standard
In a move that promises to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging in North America, Volkswagen Group brands – Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Scout Motors – announced plans to adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) for future EVs starting in 2025. This decision signifies a significant shift towards interoperability and customer convenience, granting access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network alongside existing Electrify America stations.
“This is great news for our electric vehicle customers,” declared Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “It potentially provides them with access to more than 15,000 additional charging points, significantly expanding their options.”
The move is not limited to future models. Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi are exploring adapter solutions to allow existing vehicles equipped with the Combined Charging System (CCS) to access Tesla Superchargers as early as 2025. This opens up a vast charging network for millions of current EV owners.
“Earlier this year, the North American Charging standard was just an idea,” said Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of Charging at Tesla. “Today, with the VW Group’s commitment, almost every major automotive manufacturer is onboard, uniting for a brighter future of EV charging.”
This collaborative effort promises to address a key pain point for EV drivers: access to reliable and convenient charging infrastructure. With over 15,000 Superchargers and 3,800 DC fast charging outlets from Electrify America and Electrify Canada, the landscape is about to become more robust and accessible than ever.
“Greater choice is a key factor in delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “By partnering with Tesla, we’re significantly expanding the network of chargers available to our customers.”
Scout Motors, a new entrant to the EV market, is also joining the NACS bandwagon. “Engineering NACS connectors into our vehicles from the onset will give our customers access to a vast and quickly expanding fast-charging network,” stated Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors.
This collaborative embrace of the NACS standard represents a major step towards a unified charging ecosystem in North America. With increased interoperability and a wider network of charging stations, EV ownership is set to become more convenient and attractive than ever before. As details regarding specific model integration emerge closer to 2025, one thing is clear: the future of EV charging is brighter than ever, powered by collaboration and innovation.
