After we told you this morning Blink, Kempower and Chargepoint had announced plans to integrate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), we now have more companies coming on board, with Nxu and Wallbox being the latest.
Nxu Inc., which specializes in the manufacture of innovative battery cells and battery packs for advanced energy storage systems and megawatt charging stations, says it will now support NACS.
Mark Hanchett, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Nxu, expressed his views on the current state of the charging infrastructure in North America. He noted that the unreliable equipment and unpredictable charging experiences have driven major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek alternative solutions for their customers.
“As key players in the automotive space move away from the Combined Charging System (CCS) to NACS, we believe the low-power standards currently available will be needed until Megawatt solutions become ubiquitous,” Hanchett said. “We are continuing to develop our Megawatt technology solutions and are well positioned to provide a superior customer experience.”
Hanchett further highlighted that Nxu built its business with the understanding that the current North American charging infrastructure has significant limitations that hinder EV adoption. He stated that the industry’s shift to NACS reaffirms Nxu’s commitment to delivering standard-agnostic charging solutions.
“We believe that Nxu is optimally positioned to offer NACS charging solutions at the highest power levels, up to 1MW, accepted by each individual vehicle, embracing the broader transition away from the now antiquated CCS standard,” Hanchett said. He concluded by stating that Nxu will continue to support both standards as part of its strategic plan to optimize compatibility, while seizing the opportunity to further develop 1MW+ solutions to advance electrification across additional market segments.
Wallbox to Support NACS for its DC Fast Charger
Wallbox, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, has announced its plan to integrate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors into its DC Fast Charger (DCFC), Supernova. This decision underlines Wallbox’s dedication to simplifying the EV charging experience and accelerating the adoption of electric mobility.
The NACS is a widely accepted charging protocol in the North American EV market, ensuring compatibility between charging stations and a range of electric vehicles. This allows EV users to connect and recharge their vehicles without any hassle.
Supernova, Wallbox’s DCFC capable of charging up to 180kW, is slated to enter the North American market later this year. Already available in 33 countries worldwide, Supernova is designed to meet the industry’s need for reliable and efficient public charging. The integration of NACS is a significant step in Wallbox’s commitment to enhancing the versatility and accessibility of its charging solutions.
Enric Asuncion, CEO and co-founder of Wallbox, said, “At Wallbox, we understand the importance of interoperability, which drives us to design universally compatible chargers. Incorporating the NACS aligns with our vision of creating a frictionless charging experience for all EV drivers. As a vertically integrated company, we can rapidly integrate these advancements, supporting industry shifts that make EV charging simpler and accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation.”
The integration of the Tesla NACS standard into Wallbox charging solutions is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to create the best EV charging technology to meet drivers’ needs in North America. Wallbox continues to stay at the forefront of innovation, adapting to the evolving market needs and driving the adoption of electric mobility worldwide.
All Supernova chargers produced in Wallbox’s Arlington facility are expected to meet Buy America requirements.
Tritium to Support NACS in U.S.
Tritium DCFC Limited, a leading global developer and manufacturer of direct current (DC) fast chargers for electric vehicles (EVs), has announced plans to incorporate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors into its fast charging devices. This move is in line with the company’s commitment to facilitating the swift transition to electric vehicles by offering fast, reliable charging options compatible with all EV models.
Jane Hunter, Tritium’s CEO, stated that the company is dedicated to supporting any connectors that are widely adopted in its primary markets, which include Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific region. She expressed enthusiasm about adding Tesla’s NACS connector to Tritium’s US chargers, and to chargers in other markets that adopt the NACS connector, to ensure a seamless and straightforward charging experience for a growing range of EV models.
Tritium’s chargers are already compatible with CCS1, CCS2, and CHAdeMO connectors, which are globally recognized. In Europe and the Asia Pacific region, Tritium’s fast chargers can directly connect to Tesla vehicles that use CCS2 connectors. However, in the United States, Tesla vehicles use a proprietary NACS connector, necessitating an adapter when charging outside the Tesla charging network. The integration of the NACS connector into Tritium’s US chargers will enhance the charging experience for Tesla drivers, eliminating the need for an adapter.
The recent announcements from GM and Ford regarding the adoption of NACS for their EVs are expected to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Tritium stands to benefit from an increase in EVs on the road, which will lead to greater demand for and access to DC fast charging.
Mike Calise, Tritium’s President of the Americas, emphasized that this milestone reaffirms Tritium’s commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions and revolutionizing the way drivers and fleet operators fast charge their EVs. He expressed eagerness to offer the NACS connector option on Tritium fast chargers across North America, including for the NEVI and CFI programs.
Tritium plans to offer NACS connectors as an option during manufacture and as a retrofit kit for post-manufacture, including for chargers deployed as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program.
As we said earlier, with big players Ford and GM adopting NACS, expect more third-party companies to join in as well.