Hyundai: Your Approval Needed for Tesla Charge Adoption

South Korea Examines From Customer Viewpoint

Hyundai is entertaining the notion of bringing in Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector for its electric vehicles in North America. The Korean automotive manufacturer has suggested it might do so, but desires to evaluate the move from a customer viewpoint prior to coming to an ultimate proclamation.

In a Reuters report, Hyundai President and CEO Jaehoon Chang confirmed the company’s position during their investor day. “We will be looking at this from the customers’ point of view,” Chang declared.

Chang brings attention to one point: the Tesla Supercharger network is not able to provide 800 volt power, which contrasts with the charging ability of both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6. Notably, Tesla’s system only allows for up to 480 volts. Nevertheless, users can still enjoy a 1,000-volt charge when coupling their cars with the NACS connector.

Acknowledging the necessity to talk with Tesla in order to address the apprehension and also examine if there could be any alterations to accommodate Hyundai’s swiftness when it comes to charging, Chang made it known. It would unquestionably assist Tesla to have the chance to be eligible for a percentage of the $7.5 billion incentives of the Biden administration which have been set out to hasten the dispersion of chargers within the US. Moreover, Tesla will gain financially by providing energy to a broad array of electric car users.

Hyundai’s revelation echoes recent initiatives taken by diverse auto-manufacturers, affirming their embrace of the NACS connector as the universal protocol for incoming electric vehicles. Ford made the accord with Tesla public in May, furnishing its EV’s access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across America and Canada from spring 2024 onwards.

In answer to Tesla, GM has declared that from 2025 onward, its upcoming EVs will be equipped with NACS connections. Until then, cars from the firm that have Combined Charging System (CCS) technology can employ adapters so they can access the Tesla superchargers.

Meanwhile, the automobile company Stellantis has stated their resolve to embrace NACS charging adapters for all their upcoming electric vehicles. Currently, the organization does not have any battery EVs obtainable in the USA; however, an array of automobiles are in transit, which includes the electric Dodge muscle car and the Jeep Recon electric off-roader.

Rivian has become the newest participant in the development, granting their R1S and R1T the potential of connecting with the Supercharger network utilizing an adapter. Correspondingly to Ford, the NACS ports will be cogent on future Rivian automobiles commencing in 2025.