Tesla: Charging Network EV Standard
Tesla’s electric-vehicle charging technology is gaining significant momentum as it emerges as the leading contender to become the standard for EV charging across North America. This development not only bolsters Tesla’s plan to expand access to its once-exclusive chargers but also signals a departure from previous efforts by the Biden administration to establish the Combined Charging System (CCS) as the dominant charging standard in the United States. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International is now working towards creating an industry standard configuration of Tesla’s charging connector, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), through collaboration with automakers, government bodies, and standards organizations.
Growing Acceptance of Tesla’s Charging Design:
Major automakers, including Volvo Car, General Motors, Ford, and Rivian, have recently embraced Tesla’s charging design, aligning with the vision of establishing it as the standard charging protocol. This collective endorsement represents a shift away from earlier support for CCS. SAE International is actively engaged in discussions with Tesla, Ford, GM, other automakers, and the federal government to advance the standardization of NACS. The sense of urgency and shared purpose between industry and government has fueled these collaborative efforts.
A Unified Approach:
An important aspect of this standardization process is that it is no longer controlled by a single company. Instead, multiple automotive industry players are working together to develop a cohesive charging standard that provides guidelines for plug development. Frank Menchaca, President of Sustainable Mobility Solutions at SAE International, emphasizes the significance of this collective effort, underscoring the commitment to creating an inclusive and industry-wide charging standard.
Implications and Benefits:
Establishing Tesla’s charging technology as the North American standard offers several advantages. It promotes interoperability and facilitates the creation of a more accessible network of chargers throughout the country. The Biden administration has acknowledged the importance of both CCS and NACS connectors, and electric-vehicle charging stations that utilize Tesla-standard plugs alongside the U.S. charging standard connection, CCS, would be eligible for substantial federal subsidies. This aligns with the administration’s goal to deploy 500,000 public chargers by 2030.
Expanding the Charging Infrastructure:
According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the United States is on track to install 1.2 million electric-vehicle public chargers by 2030, including 1 million Level 2 chargers. The study did not provide a breakdown of NACS and other connector types. However, this projection surpasses the Biden administration’s goal for public charger deployment. To realize this expansion, an estimated $33 billion to $55 billion of combined public and private capital investment will be required, as stated by the NREL study.
A More Interoperable Future:
The Biden administration’s approach to CCS and NACS connectors aims to create a more interoperable and accessible charging infrastructure nationwide. Ali Zaidi, White House national climate adviser, highlights that this strategy will facilitate the transition to electric vehicles by fostering compatibility among charging stations. Charging stations using Tesla-standard plugs, along with the U.S. charging standard connection, CCS, would be eligible for significant federal subsidies.
State Mandates and Federal Alignment:
The states of Texas and Washington have already declared their intention to mandate the use of NACS, alongside CCS, as part of the federal program. The extent to which the federal government will follow suit remains to be seen, but these state-level initiatives demonstrate growing support for Tesla’s charging standard.
Tesla’s Charging Protocol the Accepted EV Standard
Tesla’s charging network and configuration are gaining rapid acceptance as the standard for EV charging protocol across North America. The collaborative efforts of automakers, standards organizations, and government bodies are paving the way for a unified charging standard, offering interoperability and accessibility
