Image: Tesla
In a significant move, Texas has announced that it will require electric vehicle charging companies to incorporate both Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard. This requirement is a prerequisite for companies wishing to participate in a state program aimed at electrifying Texas’s highways using federal funds.
This decision comes as a response to General Motors (GM), Ford, and Rivian’s adoption of Tesla’s NACS standard, despite the Biden administration’s efforts to establish CCS as the dominant charging standard in the United States.
“The decision by Ford, GM, and now Rivian to adopt NACS changed requirements for Phase 1. Each Direct Current Fast Charge port will be required to have 1 CCS connector and 1 NACS connector,” the Texas Department of Transportation communicated in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation stipulated that charging companies must provide the CCS to be eligible for up to $7.5 billion in federal funding. This funding is intended for the construction of new, high-speed chargers along 7,500 miles of the nation’s busiest highways. The move was designed to prevent Tesla’s proprietary NACS from dominating the network.
The federal funds are being distributed through the states, allowing them to customize their own guidelines as long as they meet minimum federal standards. The first round of funding is expected to be awarded by states throughout the remainder of the year.
Following this, major automakers Ford, GM, and Rivian have adopted the NACS standard. Leading U.S. charging companies, including ChargePoint and EVgo, have also indicated their intention to incorporate the same standard into their U.S. chargers.
Other states, such as California, Iowa, and Michigan, are currently reviewing the evolving charging market. The California Energy Commission told Reuters last week, “We are still evaluating the effect of recent charging standard announcements.” At least one other state is considering offering bonus points to applicants who include Tesla charging ports in their applications.
Texas, which houses Tesla’s headquarters and car factory complex, is the first state to mandate Tesla’s charging standard. This move bolsters Elon Musk’s ambition to make NACS the national charging standard.
Tesla shares saw a 1.2% rise in extended trade, following a 5.3% increase on Tuesday. Tesla reported that there are approximately 2,000 Supercharger locations and over 21,000 Supercharger stalls in the U.S., accounting for about 60% of the fast-charging plugs currently operational in the country.
