Rivian, the electric truck and SUV manufacturer with Amazon’s support, revealed its plans to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), joining the ranks of Ford and General Motors.
Starting in 2025, Rivian will equip its R1T pickup and R1S SUV with NACS-style charging ports. Additionally, the company’s upcoming smaller models will feature the Tesla-style charging ports.
By spring 2024, Rivian owners will gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, comprising approximately 12,000 fast charging stations across the United States and Canada. Although Rivian is not as large as GM or Ford, it holds a respectable position among EV buyers, making this move a significant stride toward wider acceptance of the Tesla standard.
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Previously, Tesla’s charging system was exclusive to its own vehicles, though Teslas could use industry-standard Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers with an adapter. However, in late 2022, CEO Elon Musk announced Tesla’s openness to other automakers and charging companies utilizing their system and charging design standards. In recent weeks, both Ford and GM have announced their shift from CCS to Tesla’s technology for EV fast charging.
The adoption of Tesla’s standard by more automakers and charging companies signifies a triumph for the company. One notable advantage is the potential eligibility for federal funds to support charging infrastructure since NACS is no longer exclusive to Tesla’s own vehicles.
This news was first posted at CNN.
