Electrify America is in active talks with Tesla to optimize NACS performance.
German automaker Volkswagen is the latest to join the list of companies that have aligned themselves with Tesla’s electric vehicle charging standard. According to a TechCrunch report, Electrify America, Volkswagen’s EV charging network and infrastructure provider, will adopt Elon Musk-owned Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS).
The report, citing Electrify America, noted on Thursday that the company will add a NACS connector to Electrify America and Electrify Canada’s fast charging networks by 2025. Furthermore, the EV charging solution provider will continue to provide the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector throughout its network, the report added.
The Combined Charging System (CCS) is a standardized charging protocol for electric vehicles (EVs) used in America and other regions worldwide. It is a collaboration among various automakers to establish a common charging standard that supports both AC and DC charging. With CCS, EVs can use a single charging port for both home and public charging.
In November last year, Tesla shared an EV connector design and invited charging network operators and automobile companies to put the Tesla charging connector and charge port NACS on their equipment and vehicles. In the past few weeks, a few automakers including Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Volvo have committed to providing Tesla’s charging design to EV owners.
Meanwhile, Electrify America is still considering its options and is in active talks with Tesla to optimize NACS performance. The German automaker is “currently evaluating the implementation of the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its North American customers.”
Established in 2016 as part of the Volkswagen Group’s settlement for the diesel emissions scandal, Electrify America is one of the leading electric vehicle charging networks in the United States. The company focuses on building a robust charging infrastructure across the country, with strategically located charging stations along major highways, urban areas, and retail locations. They offer various power levels to accommodate different EV models and prioritize the use of renewable energy sources for charging. Electrify America also provides residential charging solutions and offers a user-friendly mobile app and website for locating charging stations and managing accounts. Their goal is to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility by making charging more accessible, convenient, and reliable.
