Rivian announced on Tuesday that it will follow in the footsteps of Ford and Standard Motors by adopting the Tesla cost port standard. Recent developments imply that Hyundai and Stellantis are considering doing the same thing.

Rivian said in a statement that was released on Twitter that they had recently secured an agreement with Tesla to use the North American Charging Common. This was in reference to Tesla’s recently launched model identification for the charge port, which is abbreviated as NACS. “With this, charging is now available for Rivian vehicles on the whole Tesla Supercharger network spanning the United States and Canada. Accessibility is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024.

 


Rivian did not provide any information regarding the process by which users will be given permission to use the Supercharger network. In order to connect their vehicles to Supercharger stations, owners of existing automobiles that are equipped with Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connectors will need to purchase an adapter. Rivian did not disclose any information regarding the timing for the introduction of Tesla ports to long-term automobiles or whether or not the company will abandon CCS.

 


Rivian revealed plans for a network of at least 3,500 DC quick chargers at more than 600 locations by the end of 2023. In addition, Rivian plans to install more than 10,000 Level 2 charging ports. It is primarily located away from main highways and is in close proximity to areas that are great for outdoor activities; therefore, it has the potential to become a backcountry equivalent to the Supercharger network. However, connectivity with Tesla will provide Rivian users with more charging options that are located closer to civilised areas.

According to information published on Tuesday by Automotive Information, Hyundai will investigate the possibility of compatibility with the Tesla charge port. According to the report, the CEO of the company, Jaehoon Chang, stated that the organisation will need to establish what its customers want most in order to be successful.

One of the things that could go wrong is that Hyundai electric vehicles would not be prepared to make the most energy-hungry demands on Tesla’s Supercharger network. Several of Hyundai’s most recent electric vehicles include an 800-volt electrical architecture, which enables faster charging at chosen CCS stations despite the higher energy costs involved. According to reports, Chang is trying to find a way to discuss the issue with Tesla.

 

 

 

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This comes after confirmation from Stellantis the previous week that the manufacturer was considering the usage of the Tesla cost port for possible applications in upcoming electric vehicles (EVs).

The manufacturer stated in a statement that was distributed to Reuters that they would “go on to evaluate the NACS standard” and that they were “looking forward to discussing additional in the near future.”

After years of conflicting charging specifications, it seemed as though the momentum was shifting towards Tesla shortly after Ford said, just this month, that it would integrate Tesla’s charging interface starting with its subsequent-generation electric vehicles in 2025, and at some point ditch CCS in the United States entirely. This news appeared to shift the momentum quickly. Existing Ford electric vehicles equipped with CCS connectors will be able to use Supercharger stations without the need for an adapter once production of said adaptor begins in the following year.

 

 

 

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Although existing electric vehicles will be able to use Superchargers beginning in 2019, General Motors announced earlier this month that it would follow Tesla’s lead and begin production of its own connector in 2025. Environmentally Friendly Car Studies was informed by the car manufacturer that there are currently no future plans for the company to produce vehicles equipped with both Tesla connectors and CCS connectors.

Having said that, these automobile manufacturers are transitioning to a standard that is available in a smaller number of locations than CCS. According to the information provided by the Office of Power, as of June 2023 there are a significantly greater number of charging locations such as CCS ports (5,235) than there are Tesla ports (1,803). And the enticement of federal subsidies might lead to a guaranteed increase in CCS construction.

In the meantime, the White House has said that charging stations that make use of Tesla connectors will be eligible for federal funding under the infrastructure statute enacted by the Biden administration, provided that these stations also feature CCS connectors. The legislation sets aside $7.5 billion to create a national community of 500,000 charging internet sites, with the states receiving regulatory authority over $5 billion of the money.