Will the automaker follow in Ford and GM's footsteps?
Automaking conglomerate Stellantis has said it is currently evaluating Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), reports Reuters. In a statement to the news outlet, the automaker said, “At this time, we continue to evaluate the NACS standard and look forward to discussing more in the future.”
This news comes just weeks after Ford announced it will adopt the NACS connector system in spring 2024. While Stellantis has no battery EVs on sale in America yet, it has a plethora of plug-in hybrids, and EVs are incoming, like an electric Dodge muscle car and the forthcoming Jeep Recon electric off-roader. It seems these new models may be fitted with a Supercharger-compatible adapter which, together with new software, will enable them to access the expansive Tesla Supercharger network.
While it may seem odd that two rivals are teaming up, this move will make it easier for EV owners to charge their vehicles and may very well encourage others to purchase an electric car.
“Our focus is to provide the customer [with] the best charging experience possible,” said Stellantis. “Our Free2Move Charge brand will offer seamless, simple solutions whether at home or on the go through partnerships with charging providers.”
GM has followed in Ford's footsteps and also forged a partnership with Tesla that will enable its EVs to charge at Tesla's 16,000-strong Supercharger network from 2024. Owners of GM-built electric vehicles will, initially, have to make use of an adapter for the Combined Charging System (CCS) charging connector. However, GM has said that by 2025, EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq will be built with a NACS connector.
And it seems Stellantis isn't the only company looking into this. A report from Benzinga suggests Mercedes-Benz is also looking into adopting the NACS connector. However, this report could not be verified.
For now, there's little supporting evidence, but we wouldn't be surprised if the German automaker would be looking into this. As a luxury brand, it would make sense for Mercedes to provide more convenience to monied buyers who don't want to spend their time driving around in search of a charger.
Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz has plans to rival Tesla with its own charging network. Partnering with ChargePoint, the company aims to build multiple charging points across America and Canada before expanding to other regions across the globe. By 2027, Mercedes hopes to have 400 stations dotted across America, with a total of 2,500 individual chargers.
Unlike other charging stations, Mercedes-Benz hopes to provide customers with a high-end experience that makes waiting for your EV to charge enjoyable. Porsche plans on introducing a similar idea when it launches the all-electric Boxster.
In light of recent developments, we wouldn't be surprised if these brands opt to collaborate with rather than compete against the Supercharger network.
Keyword: Stellantis Considering Tesla Charge Connector For Future EVs