In a recent development, Hyundai Motor and Kia have unveiled plans to incorporate Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) charging system, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), into their upcoming electric vehicle models starting in the fourth quarter of 2024 in the United States. This move follows a growing trend in the industry, with major players like Ford and General Motors also integrating Tesla’s charging ports into their EVs.
The NACS technology, designed by Tesla, is gaining momentum as a unified charging standard among various electric vehicle manufacturers. Hyundai and Kia’s adoption of this system means that all new electric vehicles produced from 2024 onwards will utilize Tesla’s NACS technology, granting drivers access to an extensive network of over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
José Muñoz, President and Global COO of Hyundai, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Our collaboration with Tesla marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional EV experiences to our customers.” He added that this alliance will bolster EV owners’ confidence in convenient charging, complementing their joint venture’s objective to establish a new high-powered charging network, envisioning at least 30,000 stations across North America. Furthermore, current owners of Hyundai and Kia EV models will also benefit from this integration, gaining access to Tesla Superchargers through adapters, starting from the first quarter of 2025. The move to adopt NACS technology is expected to lead to substantial cost savings, with GM CEO Mary Barra projecting savings of up to $400 million for General Motors.
This collaboration underscores the automotive industry’s collective efforts to create a seamless and standardized charging experience for EV users, ultimately promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and contributing to a more sustainable future.
