Summary
- GM EVs can now charge at over 17,800 Tesla Superchargers with an adapter
- GM charges $225 for the adapter, in contrast to Ford and Rivian who offer them for free
- Superchargers will be integrated with GM’s in-vehicle charging apps
- GM announced they will adopt North American Charging Standard (NACS) for future EVs starting in 2025
- Although the NACS port may give GM customers access to more stations, there are more CCS connectors in the USA as of June 2023.
Article
General Motors has announced that it will begin shipping North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters that will allow its EV owners to access over 17,800 Tesla Supercharger DC fast-charging stations. Unlike Ford and Rivian, GM will charge its customers $225 for the adapter, which will be made available in the U.S. first and then in Canada. The company is leveraging multiple suppliers to ensure no supply bottlenecks occur as they produce the adapters.
The Superchargers will also be integrated with GM’s in-vehicle charging apps, enabling drivers to locate a charger, check its status, and initiate and pay for charging. This will grant GM customers access to 321,800 DC fast-charging and Level 2 AC public chargers in North America, including road-trip fast-charging stops co-branded with EVgo. The announcement of the NACS adoption came in June 2023, with plans for future GM EVs to incorporate NACS ports starting in 2025. Hyundai has already added an NACS port to the Ioniq 5 for the 2025 model year.
GM’s decision to move away from the CCS charging standard that it helped establish marks a significant shift in the industry. The company was part of a coalition of automakers that introduced the Combined Charging Standard in 2011 and installed a CCS port in a production vehicle, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV. While the NACS port will provide GM customers access to more charging stations, it does not solve all the charging problems. As of June 2023, there were more CCS connectors than NACS ones in the U.S., and ensuring interoperability between different vehicles and charging stations remains a challenge.
The availability of the adapters signifies GM’s commitment to expanding its EV charging infrastructure and providing more options for its customers. Integrating Superchargers with in-vehicle charging apps will enhance the user experience and make it easier for drivers to access fast-charging stations. The collaboration with EVgo on road-trip fast-charging stops will further streamline the charging process for GM EV owners, giving them peace of mind on longer journeys.
The move towards NACS adoption by GM and other automakers demonstrates a collective effort to standardize EV charging protocols and improve accessibility for all EV drivers. By embracing the Tesla Supercharger network, GM is enhancing the charging capabilities of its EVs and ensuring that customers have a wider range of options for charging their vehicles. As the industry continues to evolve, interoperability between different vehicles and charging stations will become increasingly important to support the growth of electric vehicles.
Overall, GM’s decision to offer NACS adapters for its EVs represents a step forward in the electrification of transportation and the development of a more robust charging infrastructure. By leveraging multiple suppliers and integrating Superchargers with in-vehicle apps, GM is enhancing the charging experience for its customers and expanding their access to fast-charging stations. As more automakers adopt NACS and collaborate on charging solutions, the EV market is poised for continued growth and innovation in the years ahead.
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