Stellantis Adopts Tesla’s EV Charging Standard, Becoming the Last Major Automaker to Follow Suit
Stellantis, the parent company of popular automakers Jeep and Chrysler, has finally joined the ranks of major car manufacturers adopting Tesla’s Electric Vehicle (EV) charging standard. The move signifies a significant victory for Tesla, which has been striving to establish its charging plug as the industry standard.
The connector in question, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) or SAE J3400, was developed by Tesla. By successfully convincing Stellantis to adopt their charging technology, Tesla has made significant strides in its mission to achieve open and seamless charging capabilities for all consumers.
Stellantis has announced that a selection of its battery-electric vehicles will incorporate the NACS system starting next year. To ensure a smooth transition, the company is also making adapters available for vehicles equipped with the Combined Charging System (CCS) port, allowing North American drivers to benefit from an increasing number of NACS charging ports.
This development is not only a win for Tesla but also for customers who will benefit from standardized charging systems. Ricardo Stamatti, Senior Vice President of Global Energy and Charging at Stellantis, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Customers win when the industry aligns on open standards. We are happy to announce our backing and adoption of the SAE J3400 connector, a milestone for all customers on the path to open and seamless charging.” Stamatti added that this move aligns with Stellantis’s Dare Forward 2030 plan, aiming to make the company carbon net-zero by 2038.
Despite being a late adopter, Stellantis joins other prominent automakers that have already embraced the NACS system. Ford was the first US automaker to adopt the standard in May of last year, followed by BMW, Toyota, Rivian, Polestar, and Fisker. In December 2022, Volkswagen announced its intention to adopt NACS in its vehicles from 2025 onward.
In a further effort to expedite the adoption of NACS, Tesla made its charging port design available to charging station operators and vehicle manufacturers worldwide in November 2022. This initiative aimed to create a unified and standardized charging infrastructure.
In June 2023, Stellantis, along with General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, formed a joint venture called IONNA. The venture intends to establish a charging network consisting of at least 30,000 stations equipped with both NACS and CCS across North America by 2030. Today’s announcement builds upon the objectives set forth by the IONNA charging network joint venture.
Despite some delays, it seems that the automotive industry is moving closer to embracing a standardized charging system. As more industry giants, such as Stellantis, adopt Tesla’s NACS, the path to open and seamless charging for electric vehicles becomes increasingly clear.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Stellantis adopting Tesla’s EV charging standard is a significant win for Tesla, as it establishes their charging plug as the industry standard. This move benefits customers by providing standardized and seamless charging systems. Stellantis’ adoption aligns with their Dare Forward 2030 plan to become carbon net-zero by 2038. As more automakers adopt the NACS system, the path to open and seamless charging for electric vehicles becomes clearer.
