Adopts Tesla’s Charging Connector and Supercharger Access
The list of automakers not supporting the North American Charging Standard (NACS) continues to shrink.
Today, Mercedes made an announcement, joining the growing number of companies embracing Tesla’s charging connector and port. In a press release, the company revealed its plans to incorporate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector in its upcoming electric vehicles, starting in 2025.
Apart from adopting Tesla’s charging connector, Mercedes will also gain access to the extensive Tesla Supercharger network, beginning in the coming year. While Mercedes already offers its customers access to more than 90,000 charging locations through its Mercedes Me Charge service, it intends to expand the network further by incorporating over 12,000 Superchargers, starting in 2024.
Even after Mercedes transitions to using the NACS charging connector in its vehicles by 2025, customers who own cars with a CCS connector will still have the ability to utilize Tesla’s Superchargers by using an adapter. This approach seems to be a shared strategy among electric vehicle manufacturers and Tesla itself, as CCS adapters are being installed at Tesla charging stations.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Group AG, emphasized that the move to NACS and providing access to Tesla Superchargers aligns with the company’s priority to expedite the transition to electric vehicles. He stated, “Our strategic priority is clear: Building the world’s most desirable cars. To accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, we are dedicated to elevating the entire EV experience for our customers, including fast, convenient, and reliable charging solutions wherever their Mercedes-Benz takes them. That’s why we are committed to building our global Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network, with the first sites opening this year. Simultaneously, we are also implementing NACS in our vehicles, allowing drivers to access an expansive network of high-quality charging offerings in North America.”
Mercedes joins the growing list of automakers that have recently announced their adoption of NACS. In the past month, Rivian, GM, Polestar, and Volvo have also forged agreements with Tesla to incorporate the NACS charging connector and gain access to the Supercharger network. The momentum is building, and any automaker that hesitates to join this movement will likely face challenges ahead.
