:North American Charging System
{{Short description|Electric vehicle connector standard}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox connector
| name = North American Charging System
(SAE J3400)
| image = Tesla-type-1-inlet-tesla02-outlet-iec-type-2-outlet-cropped.jpg
| caption = NACS alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) connector (center), shown between SAE J1772 (left) and Type 2 (right) AC connectors. Non-NACS DC connectors are even larger.
| type = Electric vehicle charging
| designer = Tesla, Inc.
| design_date = 2012
| electrical = AC or DC
| standardization_date = 2024
| manufacturer = Tesla, Volex
| maximum_voltage = {{Unbulleted list|277 Volt (V) AC|500 or 1,000 V DC}}
| num_pins = 5
| pinout_image = File:NACS pinout annotated.svg
| pinout_caption = Pinouts for NACS, looking at end of plug (attached to electric vehicle supply equipment cord)
| pin_custom1_name = DC+/L1
| pin_name_custom1 = DC+ / Line 1
| pin_custom1 = Positive current (DC),
Line 1 (split phase AC),
Line (single phase AC)
| pin_custom2_name = DC−/L2
| pin_name_custom2 = DC− / Line 2
| pin_custom2 = Negative current (DC),
Line 2 (split phase AC),
Neutral (single phase AC)
| pin_custom3_name = G
| pin_name_custom3 = Ground
| pin_custom3 = full-current protective grounding system
| pin_custom4_name = CP
| pin_name_custom4 = Control pilot
| pin_custom4 = charging state/current signaling
| pin_custom5_name = PP
| pin_name_custom5 = Proximity pilot
| pin_custom5 = vehicle connector status signaling
}}
The North American Charging System (NACS), standardized as SAE J3400, is an electric vehicle (EV) charging connector standard developed by Tesla, Inc. and maintained by SAE International.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |title=J3400_202409: North American Charging System (NACS) for Electric Vehicles |url=https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400_202409/ |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=SAE International}} Tesla introduced the physical connector design with the Model S in 2012; however, it was not until 2021 that Tesla vehicles began supporting the communications protocol that defines NACS. In 2022, Tesla opened the standard to other manufacturers, and SAE International formally standardized it in 2023. NACS uses a single compact connector for both AC and DC charging, sharing common pins for both modes, unlike other systems that require different or larger connectors for DC fast charging.
Between May 2023 and February 2024, most major automakers announced plans to adopt NACS for their North American EVs beginning with the 2025 model year, replacing the Combined Charging System Combo 1 connector (CCS1). Access to the Tesla Supercharger network, regarded as more reliable and extensive than other networks, was cited as a major factor in the transition. Several EV charging network operators and charging equipment manufacturers also announced plans to adopt NACS connectors.
Background
After initial testing allowing non-Tesla EVs to use Tesla Supercharger stations in Europe in December 2019,{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=December 20, 2019 |title=Tesla opens first Supercharger V3 in Europe |url=https://electrek.co/2019/12/20/tesla-supercharger-v3-europe/ |work=Electrek}} Tesla began to test a proprietary dual-connector "Magic Dock" connector at select North American Supercharger locations in March 2023.{{Cite news |date=March 15, 2023 |title=Here's How Tesla's Magic Dock Rollout Is Going |url=https://insideevs.com/news/657335/tesla-magic-dock-rollout-march-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603170437/https://insideevs.com/news/657335/tesla-magic-dock-rollout-march-2023/ |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=InsideEVs}} Magic Dock allows for an EV to charge with either a NACS or CCS1 connector, which would provide the technical capability for almost all battery electric vehicles the chance to charge.{{Cite news |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=June 10, 2023 |title=US: CCS-Compatible Tesla Superchargers To Be Eligible For Public Funds |url=https://insideevs.com/news/671473/us-ccs-tesla-superchargers-public-funds/ |access-date=June 11, 2023 |work=InsideEVs}} While most of Tesla's North American Supercharger locations currently provide exclusively NACS connectors, 92 locations with V3 posts and 44 with V4 supported the Magic Dock adapter as of February 2025.{{Cite web |title=supercharge.info |url=https://supercharge.info |access-date=February 19, 2025 |website=supercharge.info}}
History
Tesla developed a proprietary charging connector for the Model S in 2012 and used it on all subsequent vehicles, including the Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. As part of its business strategy, the company also built the Tesla Supercharger network across the United States.{{Cite journal |last=Bhargava |first=Hemant |last2=Boehm |first2=Jonas |last3=Parker |first3=Geoffrey G. |date=January 27, 2021 |title=How Tesla's Charging Stations Left Other Manufacturers in the Dust |url=https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-teslas-charging-stations-left-other-manufacturers-in-the-dust |journal=Harvard Business Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526005038/https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-teslas-charging-stations-left-other-manufacturers-in-the-dust |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 26, 2023}}
Following the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) in 2021, the U.S. government announced $7.5{{Nbsp}}billion in subsidies to support the development of a nationwide network of fast chargers at least every {{Convert|50|mi}} along America's highways. To qualify for funding, chargers were required to be accessible to multiple brands of electric vehicles.{{Cite news |last=Dow |first=Jameson |date=December 19, 2023 |title=US gov't may update EV charger subsidy rules for newly-certified NACS port |url=https://electrek.co/2023/12/19/us-govt-may-update-ev-charger-subsidy-rules-for-newly-certified-nacs-port/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |work=Electrek}}
In response, in November 2022, Tesla introduced the North American Charging Standard (NACS), an open standard based on the physical design of its earlier proprietary connector.{{Cite news |last=Rosevear |first=John |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Polestar is the latest EV maker to announce a move to Tesla's North American charging standard |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/29/polestar-moves-to-tesla-charging-standard.html |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Dumas |first=Breck |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Mercedes-Benz to adopt Tesla charging standard for EVs, access Supercharger network |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/mercedes-benz-adopt-tesla-charging-standard-evs-access-supercharger-network |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=FOXBusiness |language=en-US}} However, unlike the original Tesla connector, which used CAN bus communication, NACS employs the ISO 15118 protocol used by CCS1, allowing for vehicles with a CCS1 port to charge at a NACS station using an adapter, and allowing Tesla vehicles to charge at a CCS1 station using an adapter.{{Cite news |last=Voelcker |first=John |date=August 29, 2023 |title=No, NACS is not today's Tesla connector |url=https://chargedevs.com/features/ev-charging-is-changing-part-2-no-nacs-is-not-todays-tesla-connector/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Charged EVs |language=en-US}} Tesla vehicles built before 2021 require an ECU retrofit to support charging at a CCS1 station. The Supercharger network remains backward compatible with both the original connector and NACS.
Tesla promoted NACS as offering several advantages, including a more compact design, a Tesla vehicle fleet that outnumbered CCS1-equipped vehicles by a margin of two to one, and a Supercharger network with 60 percent more stalls than all CCS1-equipped networks combined.{{Cite news |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Tesla opens up its charging connector in a bid to become the North American standard |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/11/23453587/tesla-connector-north-american-standard-ccs-combo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111203001/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/11/23453587/tesla-connector-north-american-standard-ccs-combo |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2023 |work=The Verge}}{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Tesla opens its EV charge connector in the hope of making it the new standard |url=https://electrek.co/2022/11/11/tesla-opens-ev-charge-connector-hope-making-new-standard/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111185425/https://electrek.co/2022/11/11/tesla-opens-ev-charge-connector-hope-making-new-standard/ |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |work=Electrek}}{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Tesla Aims To Fix American EV Charging Infrastructure With The North American Charging Standard |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/tesla-aims-to-fix-american-ev-charging-infrastructure-with-the-north-american-charging-standard/ar-AA1416HJ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220082016/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/tesla-aims-to-fix-american-ev-charging-infrastructure-with-the-north-american-charging-standard/ar-AA1416HJ |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=MSN}}{{Cite press release |title=Opening the North American Charging Standard |date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=Tesla |location=US |url=https://www.tesla.com/blog/opening-north-american-charging-standard |access-date=November 12, 2022}} Commentators described the move as a last-ditch effort to save the Tesla connector as federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act supported the expansion of CCS1 infrastructure.
In May 2023, Ford Motor Company became the first major automaker to announce plans to adopt NACS. Ford stated that beginning in 2025, all new electric vehicles would feature native NACS ports, with earlier models able to use NACS chargers through an adapter starting in 2024.{{Cite news |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Ford EVs will get access to Tesla's Supercharger network in 2024 |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/05/ford-evs-will-get-access-to-teslas-supercharger-network-in-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526000201/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/05/ford-evs-will-get-access-to-teslas-supercharger-network-in-2024/ |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 26, 2023 |work=Ars Technica}} Ford's announcement began a rapid shift in the industry, with other manufacturers making similar announcements throughout 2023 and early 2024, leading to widespread industry adoption.
Observers noted that the broad shift reflected recognition of the Tesla Supercharger network as among the most reliable and extensive, and that NACS offered advantages in design and usability. Analysts also suggested that charging infrastructure could become a recurring revenue source for Tesla.{{Cite magazine |last=Marshall |first=Aarian |date=February 13, 2024 |title=Tesla Wins EV Charging! Now What? |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-wins-ev-charging-now-what/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213163741/https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-wins-ev-charging-now-what/ |archive-date=February 13, 2024 |access-date=January 21, 2025 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}
On June 27, 2023, SAE International announced plans to standardize the NACS connector as SAE J3400.{{Cite press release |title=SAE International Announces Standard for NACS Connector, Charging PKI and Infrastructure Reliability |date=June 27, 2023 |url=https://www.sae.org/site/news/press-room/2023/06/sae-international-announces-standard-for-nacs-connector |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=SAE International}} In August 2023, Tesla licensed the design to Volex to manufacture NACS components.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Tesla issues license to Volex to build NACS connector |url=https://electrek.co/2023/08/10/tesla-issues-license-volex-build-nacs-connector/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |work=Electrek |language=en-US}} SAE published the "technical information report" on December 18, 2023,{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2023 |title=J3400_202312: NACS Electric Vehicle Coupler |url=https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400_202312/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=SAE International}} and the "recommended practice", with "NACS" redefined as the "North American Charging System," on September 30, 2024.
Following widespread industry adoption, the U.S. government publicly endorsed NACS in December 2023. The Federal Highway Administration announced plans to integrate the SAE-standard NACS plug into eligibility criteria for federal charging infrastructure funding.{{Cite news |last=St. John |first=Alexa |date=December 19, 2023 |title=White House backs industry effort to standardize Tesla's EV charging plugs |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/white-house-backs-industry-effort-140102446.html |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=Yahoo! News |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}
Tesla officially opened more than 15,000 Supercharger stalls to Ford owners on February 29, 2024. The company reported that technicians had retrofitted many stalls with updated electronics to support both CAN bus and ISO 15118 protocols, enabling compatibility with CCS1-equipped vehicles. Tesla indicated that retrofitting work would continue across its network.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Warren |date=September 28, 2023 |title=NACS vs. CCS: What's the Difference? |url=https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/nacs-vs-ccs |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=U.S. News & World Report}}
Description
The NACS connector supports both alternating current (AC) charging and direct current (DC) fast charging.{{Cite web |title=J3400 (WIP) North American Charging System (NACS) for Electric Vehicles |url=https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400/ |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=www.sae.org}}
= Technical specifications =
The NACS connector is available in two configurations: one supporting up to 500{{Nbsp}}volts{{Nbsp}}(V) and another supporting up to 1000{{Nbsp}}V. The higher voltage version is backward compatible with the former.
No maximum current rating is specified for NACS. Any amount of current is permissible, provided that the temperature of the connector’s interface does not exceed {{Convert|105|C}}. Tesla has reported operating the connector at continuous currents up to 900{{Nbsp}}amperes{{Nbsp}}(amps).
For DC fast charging, the current version 4 (V4) Tesla Supercharger delivers up to 325{{Nbsp}}kilowatts{{Nbsp}}(kW) of power, though this is not the maximum capacity of the NACS connector.
For AC charging, the NACS system can supply up to 80{{Nbsp}}amps at 277{{Nbsp}}V, derived from a three-phase commercial power supply at 480{{Nbsp}}V.{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Wall Connector Gen2 80A |url=https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/wall-connector-eu/tesla-80a-wall-connector-installation-manua-en-v1.pdf |access-date=June 28, 2023 |website=Tesla, Inc.}}{{Cite news |last=Dow |first=Jameson |date=December 15, 2023 |title=SAE's NACS certification is ready, and it'll fix every EV charging problem at once |url=https://electrek.co/2023/12/15/saes-nacs-certification-is-ready-and-itll-fix-every-ev-charging-problem-at-once/ |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=Electrek |language=en-US}} However, in typical configurations, NACS provides up to 48{{Nbsp}}amps of current at 240{{Nbsp}}V (the standard residential voltage of the North American split-phase electric power system), yielding 11.5{{Nbsp}}kW.{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2022 |title=North American 48A AC Charging Connector Datasheet |url=https://www.tesla.com/blog/opening-north-american-charging-standard |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=Tesla, Inc.}}
= Operation =
The NACS connector features a single button located on the top center of the handle. Pressing the button emits a UHF signal. When the connector is securely locked in place, the signal triggers the vehicle to retract the latch that holds the connector in place. If the connector is not locked in place, the signal prompts the vehicle to open the door covering the inlet.
= Pin layout =
The NACS connector uses a five-pin layout. The two primary pins are utilized for both AC charging and DC fast charging:
- DC+/L1: Provides the positive side of the DC voltage link or, in AC mode, serves as Line 1 in a split-phase connection or as the sole Line in a single-phase connection.
- DC−/L2: Provides the negative side of the DC voltage link or, in AC mode, serves as Line 2 in a split-phase connection or as the neutral in a single-phase connection.
- G (Ground): Provides a connection between the earth and the vehicle’s chassis. This pin is also used as a reference for the CP and PP signals and to measure electrical isolation.
- CP (Control Pilot): A digital communication path used to exchange information about the charging state and current, in accordance with IEC 61851. Power Line Communication is superimposed on the control pilot during DC charging.
- PP (Proximity Pilot): Carries a low-voltage signal to determine the status of the vehicle connector. When the button on the plug is pressed to unlock the connector, a switch on the Proximity Pilot circuit opens, interrupting the flow of electricity.
The pin layout for AC charging is identical to that of the SAE J1772 connector.{{Cite news |last=Hundal |first=Thomas |date=June 10, 2022 |title=Here's How A Simple Adapter Can Let You Plug A Regular EV Or PHEV Into A Tesla Level 2 Charger |url=https://www.theautopian.com/heres-how-a-simple-adapter-can-let-you-plug-a-regular-ev-or-phev-into-a-tesla-level-2-charger/ |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=The Autopian |language=en-US}}
Adoption
= Automakers =
In May 2023, the Ford Motor Company became the first large automaker to announce that it would use NACS with its electric vehicles. Over the next two years, nearly every automaker selling vehicles in the North American market pledged to switch to NACS.{{Cite news |last=Beckford |first=Andrew |date=January 19, 2024 |title=The Great NACS Migration: Who Is Switching to Tesla's Charging Port |url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/tesla-nacs-charging-port-automaker-compatibility/ |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=Motor Trend}}
Initially, owners of cars with CCS1 will be offered a NACS adapter to enable charging at Tesla's network, then, starting in 2025, the manufacturers will begin building NACS ports into new cars.{{Cite news |last=Beckford |first=Andrew |date=January 19, 2024 |title=The Great NACS Migration: Who Is Switching to Tesla's Charging Port |url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/tesla-nacs-charging-port-automaker-compatibility/ |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=Motor Trend}} In February, Ford became the first automaker to offer an adapter to customers, allowing Ford vehicles to charge with the adapter on a majority of Tesla's V3 and V4 chargers.{{Cite press release |title=Ford Customers Can Now Charge on Tesla Superchargers in U.S., Canada |url=https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2024/02/29/ford-customers-can-now-charge-on-tesla-superchargers-in-u-s---ca.html |access-date=May 22, 2024 |website=Ford Media Center}}
The automakers that committed to this transition are:
Mitsubishi Motors is the only legacy automaker that has not announced plans to adopt NACS.{{Cite news |title=Tesla Charging Standard Sweeps Across EVs: Here's When the Switch Will Happen |url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-charging-standard-sweeps-across-evs-heres-when-the-switch-will-happen/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=CNET |publisher=Red Ventures}}
= Charging networks =
Prior to the NACS being made an open standard in late 2022, several electric vehicle charging network operators had added Tesla charging connector adapters to legacy CHAdeMO-standard charging stations. These included the ONroute rest stop network in Ontario, Canada, where a Tesla adaptor was permanently attached to a CHAdeMO cord,{{Cite web |last=John |first=Darryn |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Here's how Tesla owners will be able to use ONroute's new CHAdeMO EV chargers |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/heres-how-tesla-owners-will-be-able-to-use-onroutes-new-chademo-ev-chargers/ |publisher=Drive Tesla Canada}} and REVEL opened a charging station in Brooklyn, New York for a while after they were denied a license to operate a Tesla ride-hailing fleet in New York City.{{Cite web |last=John |first=Darryn |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Revel opens EV charging Superhub in Brooklyn after being blocked to operate in New York City |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/revel-ev-charging-superhub-brooklyn-new-york-city/ |publisher=Drive Tesla Canada}} Ivy Charge in Ontario, Canada, announced plans to include CCS1-to-Tesla adaptors for some of their stations.{{Cite web |last=John |first=Darryn |date=December 3, 2021 |title=ONroute's new Ivy EV chargers will feature built-in Tesla adapters |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/onroutes-new-ivy-ev-chargers-will-feature-built-in-tesla-adapters/ |publisher=Drive Tesla Canada}} Also EVgo, who added optional Tesla adaptors to CHAdeMO cords.{{Cite news |last=Andrew J. Hawkins |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Tesla vehicles can soon be charged at EVgo charging stations in the US / The first connectors will be distributed at EVgo's charging stations in San Francisco |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/19/21030330/tesla-evgo-ev-charging-station-us-ccs-chademo |publisher=The Verge}}{{Cite web |last=Herron |first=David |date=December 20, 2019 |title=eVgo offers CHAdeMO fast charging to Tesla owners |url=https://longtailpipe.com/2019/12/20/evgo-offers-chademo-fast-charging-to-tesla-owners-update/ |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=The Long Tail Pipe |publisher=Long Tail Pipe |language=en-US}} In June 2023, EVgo announced it will add NACS connector support to more of its chargers.
In June 2023 several other EV charging station providers also announced plans to add NACS connector support to their chargers. These include FLO, a Quebec-based EV charging station company with over 90,000 chargers.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Tesla's NACS enjoys domino effect as EV charging companies adopt the standard |url=https://electrek.co/2023/06/09/tesla-nacs-domino-ev-charging-companies-adopting-standard/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |work=Electrek}} EV fast-charger company FreeWire Technologies also announced plans to equip its battery-integrated Boost Chargers with NACS plugs by mid-2024.{{Cite news |last=Doll |first=Scooter |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Freewire CEO commends Ford and Tesla, vows to add NACS connectors to its chargers |url=https://electrek.co/2023/05/30/freewire-ford-and-tesla-vows-to-add-nacs-connectors-chargers-ev/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531021637/https://electrek.co/2023/05/30/freewire-ford-and-tesla-vows-to-add-nacs-connectors-chargers-ev/ |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Electrek |language=en-US |quote=CEO Arcady Sosinov in a conversation with Electrek: ...we support Tesla in making steps towards opening their technology and network... FreeWire plans to make NACS connectors available on Boost Chargers by mid 2024...}}{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Abhirup |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Exclusive: EV maker Rivian to adopt Tesla's charging standard |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-maker-rivian-adopt-teslas-charging-standard-2023-06-20/ |access-date=June 20, 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}} BC Hydro, Blink Charging, ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo have also announced plans to add NACS connectors to their charging networks.{{Cite news |last=Bonk |first=Lawrence |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Electrify America's charging network will support Tesla's NACS connector by 2025 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/electrify-americas-charging-network-will-support-teslas-nacs-connector-by-2025-185317197.html |access-date=June 29, 2023 |publisher=Yahoo News |language=en-US}} In September 2023, hotel chain Hilton Worldwide announced an agreement with Tesla to install chargers with 20,000 NACS connectors across 2,000 of its properties in North America by 2025.{{Cite news |last=Laing |first=Keith |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Tesla to Supply Hilton Hotels With 20,000 EV Chargers by 2025 |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tesla-to-supply-hilton-hotels-with-20-000-ev-chargers-by-2025-1.1968375 |access-date=October 5, 2023 |work=Bloomberg News}}
= Equipment manufacturers =
Several equipment manufacturers have announced that they plan to add NACS connectors to their products. {{As of|June 2023}} the list includes ABB, BTC Power, Tritium and Wallbox.{{Cite news |last=Doll |first=Scooter |date=June 19, 2023 |title=Everything you need to know about the North American Charging Standard (NACS) |url=https://electrek.co/2023/06/19/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-north-american-charging-standard-nacs/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=Electrek |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Abhirup |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Exclusive: Tesla standard: BTC Power joins move to add to EV chargers |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tesla-standard-btc-power-joins-move-add-ev-chargers-2023-06-20/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}} Available charging cables for NACS have been specified at a maximum of 375 A (uncooled) and 650 A (liquid cooled).{{Cite web |last=Katharina Strunk |date=December 15, 2024 |others=Joe S. Boyer |title=NACS – Der Ladestandard, der den amerikanischen Markt erobert |url=https://www.phoenixcontact.com/de-de/industrien/emobility/nacs-ladestandard-amerikanischer-markt |publisher=Phoenix Contact |language=de}}
Competing standards
{{multiple image
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| caption_align = center
| title = NACS vs. CCS1 connector
| image1 = NACS pinout annotated.svg
| width1 = 100
| caption1 = NACS
| image2 = J1772 (CCS1).svg
| width2 = 110
| caption2 = CCS1
| footer = Displayed approximately to scale
}}
Several high-power DC charging standards are used for electric vehicles, each with varying levels of adoption globally. These include:
- Combined Charging System Type 1 (CCS1): This standard is commonly used for DC fast charging in North America and South Korea, particularly at non-Tesla charging stations. Tesla offers a CCS1 to NACS adapter for purchase.{{Cite news |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=September 21, 2022 |title=US: Tesla CCS Combo 1 Adapter Is Finally Available |url=https://insideevs.com/news/611782/us-tesla-ccs-combo1-adapter-available/ |access-date=June 18, 2023 |work=InsideEVs |language=en}} Some Tesla Supercharger stations are equipped with a "magic dock," which holds a NACS to CCS1 adapter.
- Combined Charging System Type 2 (CCS2): The legally mandated DC fast-charging standard for Europe and Oceania. Tesla vehicles sold in these regions since May 2019, as well as newer Superchargers, use CCS2. Older Tesla vehicles can be retrofitted to use CCS2 with an adapter.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |title=Tesla confirms Model 3 is getting a CCS plug in Europe, adapter coming for Model S and Model X |url=https://electrek.co/2018/11/14/tesla-model-3-ccs-2-plug-europe-adapter-model-s-model-x/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=Electrek}}{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Supercharger Support |url=https://www.tesla.com/en_EU/support/supercharger |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Tesla, Inc. |language=en-EU}}
- CHAdeMO: Used for DC fast-charging in Japan and equipped on some vehicles in North America and Europe. Tesla vehicles sold in Japan are equipped with NACS.{{Cite news |last=Gaton |first=Bryce |date=December 21, 2022 |title=Tesla launches new EV charging battle, but the Plug War is already over |url=https://thedriven.io/2022/12/21/tesla-launches-new-ev-charging-battle-but-the-plug-war-is-already-over/ |access-date=June 15, 2023 |work=The Driven |language=en-US}} Tesla offers a CHAdeMO to NACS adapter for purchase.
- GB/T: Legally mandated DC fast-charging standard in China. Tesla vehicles sold in China use GB/T.{{Cite news |last=Liu |first=Gene |date=October 16, 2017 |title=Tesla updates Model S/X charge port to support China's charging standard |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-udpates-chargeport-china-gb-t-charging-standard/ |access-date=June 15, 2023 |work=TESLARATI |language=en-US}}
As of November 2021, Tesla's Supercharger network was the largest DC fast-charging network in the US.{{Cite journal |last=Bhargava |first=Hemant |last2=Boehm |first2=Jonas |last3=Parker |first3=Geoffrey G. |date=January 27, 2021 |title=How Tesla's Charging Stations Left Other Manufacturers in the Dust |url=https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-teslas-charging-stations-left-other-manufacturers-in-the-dust |url-status=live |journal=Harvard Business Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526005038/https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-teslas-charging-stations-left-other-manufacturers-in-the-dust |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 26, 2023}} However, other BEV competitors in the USA were previously unable to take advantage of the Supercharger network before the release of the "Magic Dock". Tesla cars, on the other hand, come with a SAE J1772 adapter – which allowed Tesla owners to take advantage of the large number of slower Level 2 AC charging stations that are fitted with J1772 plugs.{{Cite news |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Tesla is about to pull the plug on its main EV charging rival |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23755184/tesla-ev-charging-standard-nacs-ccs-gm-ford |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=The Verge |language=en-US}}
Criticism
Tesla's decision to name its connector the "North American Charging Standard" was criticized by the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN), the association responsible for the competing Combined Charging System (CCS), as the connector had not yet been published or recognized by a standards development organization. CharIN argued that the process of creating a standard should be collaborative, allowing input from all interested parties. Although CharIN initially criticized Tesla’s development process, it later acknowledged that while the NACS connector does not use the CCS physical connector standard, it does employ the same communication protocols developed for CCS.{{Cite press release |title=CharIN Response to Ford Announcement to use the NACS Proprietary Network |date=June 2, 2023 |url=https://www.charin.global/news/charin-response-to-ford-announcement-to-use-the-nacs-proprietary-network/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=CharIN}}{{Cite press release |title=CharIN Stands Behind CCS and MCS, but also supports the standardization of Tesla NACS – CharIN |date=June 12, 2023 |url=https://www.charin.global/news/charin-stands-behind-ccs-and-mcs-but-also-supports-the-standardization-of-tesla-nacs/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=CharIN}}
Gallery
Tesla Charging Station, 300 Main Street, Superior.jpg|A public NACS-compatible AC charging station
The charging outlet of Tesla Model X P90D.jpg|A Tesla Model X P90D equipped with a Tesla charging inlet, of the same style as NACS
Tesla Model 3 Charging (35418233244).jpg|NACS-style charging cable
Tesla Wall Connector.jpg|A newly installed NACS-compatible AC High Powered Wall Connector
Notes
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References
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External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400/ SAE J3400 standard]
- [https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3400_202409/ SAE J3400 recommended practice]
- [https://patents.google.com/patent/USD694188S1/en Patent USD694188S1 for NACS charging connector]
{{SAE International}}
{{Electric vehicles}}
{{Tesla Motors}}