NACS is the New Standard: Which Automakers Are Adopting Tesla’s Plug?

The electric vehicle charging market has experienced a massive shift. Tesla’s charging connector, officially known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), has won the charging port war. If you are shopping for an EV, knowing which automakers are adopting this plug will help you make a smart, future-proof purchase.

The Fall of CCS and the Rise of NACS

For years, the Combined Charging System (CCS) was the default fast-charging plug for almost every non-Tesla electric vehicle in North America. However, CCS plugs are bulky, heavy, and notoriously difficult to maneuver. Furthermore, third-party charging networks relying on CCS connectors have struggled with severe reliability issues, broken screens, and software glitches.

In November 2022, Tesla opened its proprietary charging design to the public and renamed it NACS. The goal was to encourage other manufacturers to adopt a smaller, lighter, and more reliable plug. By late 2023, the automotive engineering group SAE International officially standardized the plug as SAE J3400. This move transformed NACS from a company-specific part into an industry-wide standard.

Why Automakers Are Making the Switch

Car manufacturers are abandoning CCS for a few highly specific reasons.

First is network access. By adopting NACS, automakers gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Tesla operates more than 15,000 fast-charging stalls across the United States and Canada. This instantly solves the biggest complaint among EV owners: finding a reliable place to charge on road trips.

Second is reliability. Tesla reports an average uptime of 99.95% for its Supercharger network. Drivers simply plug the cable into the car, and the charging session begins automatically. This “Plug and Charge” experience is a massive upgrade over downloading multiple apps or swiping credit cards at unreliable third-party stations.

The Complete List of Automakers Adopting NACS

Almost every major car manufacturer selling vehicles in North America has committed to NACS. The transition generally follows a two-step process. In 2024, automakers are providing adapters so existing CCS vehicles can plug into Tesla Superchargers. Starting in 2025, new vehicles will roll off the assembly line with the NACS port built directly into the car.

Here is where the major brands stand today.

Ford

Ford set the industry shift in motion. In May 2023, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced a partnership with Elon Musk to bring NACS to Ford vehicles. Ford began shipping free adapters to Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners in early 2024. Next-generation Ford EVs will feature native NACS ports starting in 2025.

General Motors

Just weeks after Ford, GM CEO Mary Barra announced that Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick would also adopt NACS. Owners of the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Chevrolet Blazer EV gained access to the Supercharger network with approved adapters in late 2024. Native ports arrive on GM vehicles in 2025.

Rivian

Rivian announced its transition in June 2023. The company started shipping NACS adapters to R1T pickup and R1S SUV owners in April 2024. Rivian’s upcoming R2 platform, expected to launch in the first half of 2026, will feature native NACS ports.

Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis initially hesitated because their vehicles (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6) use 800-volt architectures. Older Tesla V3 Superchargers are limited to 400 volts, which meant slower charging speeds for Hyundai vehicles. However, with Tesla rolling out upgraded V4 Superchargers, the group committed to NACS in October 2023. Hyundai will begin putting NACS ports on brand-new EV models starting in late 2024.

Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen Group was one of the last major holdouts but finally agreed to the standard in December 2023. This agreement covers Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and the upcoming Scout Motors brand. They will implement native NACS ports beginning in 2025, and they are currently exploring adapter solutions for existing vehicles like the VW ID.4 and Porsche Taycan.

Stellantis

The parent company of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler announced its adoption of NACS in February 2024. The upcoming 2025 Ram 1500 REV electric truck and Dodge Charger Daytona will adopt the SAE J3400 standard.

Other Notable Brands

The list of participating manufacturers is vast. The following brands have all officially signed on to integrate NACS by 2025:

  • BMW Group: BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce
  • Mercedes-Benz: The first German automaker to commit.
  • Toyota and Lexus: Including the bZ4X and RZ models.
  • Honda and Acura: Including the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX.
  • Nissan: The first Japanese automaker to announce the switch.
  • Volvo and Polestar
  • Lucid Motors
  • Subaru
  • Jaguar Land Rover

What This Means for Current EV Owners

If you already own an electric vehicle with a CCS port, your car is not obsolete. You will simply need an adapter to use Tesla Superchargers. Some automakers are offering these adapters for free, while others charge around $200.

Additionally, you do not need an adapter to charge at certain Tesla stations. Tesla has installed a feature called the “Magic Dock” at select Superchargers in states like New York, Texas, and California. The Magic Dock contains a built-in CCS adapter that unlocks when you initiate a session through the Tesla smartphone app.

Third-party charging companies are also updating their hardware. Networks like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint have started adding NACS cables to their existing stations. This ensures that when you buy a native NACS vehicle in 2025, you will not be restricted strictly to Tesla stations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a NACS plug charge a car faster than a CCS plug? No. The physical shape of the plug does not dictate the charging speed. Both NACS and CCS cables are capable of delivering up to 350 kW (or more) depending on the charging station hardware and the specific battery architecture of your vehicle.

Will I need to download the Tesla app to charge my non-Tesla EV? In most cases, yes. While some brands are working on deep software integration to allow “Plug and Charge” directly through the car’s native software, the most reliable way to start and pay for a session at a Supercharger is currently through the Tesla smartphone app.

Are Level 2 home chargers switching to NACS as well? Yes. Companies like ChargePoint, Wallbox, and Enphase are now selling home EV chargers with NACS connectors. If you buy a non-Tesla EV today, you can still buy a home charger with a standard J1772 plug, but NACS will eventually become the default for residential charging equipment across North America.