Tesla-compatible charging is coming to, or already available for, an EV near you.
If you’ve ever seen a Tesla Supercharger, you may be wondering about the slim connector it uses to power up those popular electric vehicles. NACS, short for North American Charging Standard, is quickly becoming the go-to plug for EVs in the United States. But why is that?
What is NACS Charging?
Small plug, big power
Originally developed by Tesla, NACS is a slim, lightweight alternative to the thicker CCS plug other EVs use. Tesla opened their protocol to other automakers in 2022, and in 2023, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), certified NACS as an official charging standard, naming it J3400.
Tesla’s connector also allows for both AC (level 1/level 2) and DC fast charging from a single plug. That latter is important as the Supercharger network is larger and considered far more reliable than most publicly available fast charging stations. While the current system maxes out around 325 kW, NACS is built to handle up to 1,000 volts and 500 amps of power delivery, meaning less time EV owners must wait to juice up their vehicles.
Why automakers are switching
While Tesla designed the NACS plug, it adopted the same communication protocols as other standards so it’s not difficult for the competition to adapt their EVs to it. All they would need to do is integrate the slim plug into the charging port for a seamless look. Plus, access to the Supercharger network is a huge bonus so owners can potentially worry less about running across occupied, slow, and/or broken public chargers for non-Tesla EVs.
Because NACS is now a standardized system, automakers can also sell passive adapters for their current EVs to make them compatible with Tesla superchargers. They generally cost about $200-250 and require little to no modification to the vehicle’s charging port. Any changes can usually be made by the end user, so no dealer visit is necessary.
CG Says:
NACS is fast becoming the default EV plug for the US. It’s smaller, simpler, and more versatile, offering compatibility with the largest and most reliable charging network in the country. We’re pleased to see automakers offering passive adapters so current owners can take advantage. Plus, future models, such as the 2026 Nissan Leaf that’s scheduled to launch in late 2025, will include NACS compatibility “out of the box” so to speak so drivers can plug and play at any Tesla Supercharger station.
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