Mazda Joins Tesla in Utilizing NACS Fast Charging Adapters

2025 and Beyond: Mazda EVs in North America to Feature NACS Chargers from Japanese Brand

Mazda has recently announced that it will be joining the ranks of several other automakers in adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which was first introduced by Tesla. By doing so, this Japanese brand is following in the footsteps of Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and General Motors, just to name a few major players who have also hopped on the NACS bandwagon.

The manufacturer, located in Hiroshima, has announced its plans to incorporate NACS charging stations into Mazda’s new line of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) launching in North America starting in 2025. By doing so, the company intends to expand the charging options for customers, making it more convenient to own an electric car. This development also means that Mazda BEV owners will have access to over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger stations across the country, although the now-discontinued MX-30 EV is not included in this.

Mazda has arrived relatively later than other major brands, such as the Volkswagen Group, in announcing their plan to adopt NACS.

Mazda’s approach to electric vehicles may be attributed to their “intentional follower” strategy, according to CEO Masahiro Moro. The company is taking a cautious approach by closely monitoring the market and refraining from hastily jumping into EV development. Moro emphasized that the demand for EVs is uncertain. This is evident in the disappointing performance of the MX-30 in the United States, with its measly 100-mile range resulting in a massive flop.

Despite their ambitious goal of having 40% of their sales come from electric vehicles by 2030, Mazda must speed up its efforts if they want to achieve this target. Currently, the automaker only offers one electric car in their lineup, which is soon to be discontinued. This presents a significant challenge for their plans.Mazda is facing a tight deadline as they strive to meet their projected EV sales figures for the beginning of the new decade. With hopes of having electric vehicles account for 40% of their total sales by 2030, the company cannot afford any delays. However, this could prove to be a daunting task, considering the fact that their current electric car model is phasing out.Moving forward, Mazda needs to kick their plans into high gear if they want to see success in their EV sales goals. Although it may seem like a daunting task, the company must put in considerable effort to ensure the timely development and launch of new electric vehicles. After all, time is of the essence if they want to stay on track for achieving a 40% share in electrified car sales by 2030.To reach their desired level of EV sales by the beginning of the new decade, Mazda must act swiftly. Their present electric car offering is limited

In the near future, Mazda aims to introduce a total of seven or eight electric vehicles into their product range. These models will be entirely created and designed by the recently established e-Mazda department. In order to cater to customer needs, the majority of these cars will fall under the crossover category and utilize a versatile platform.

If you were anticipating the release of more economical and compact electric vehicles, Mazda may not be the ideal brand for your preferences. The company has already ruled out producing such cars due to the challenges in making them cost-effective.

“From now until 2030 marks the beginning of an era of electrification – a journey that may have its challenges. Our focus must be on addressing the demands and desires of consumers. Currently, customers are seeking alternative options beyond battery electric vehicles,” stated Moro-san in the previous year.

In line with the efforts of Toyota and BMW, Mazda is also exploring alternative methods for achieving carbon neutrality in the automotive industry. The company has recently declared its launch of a novel rotary initiative, aimed at achieving significant advancements in the quest for environmentally-friendly combustion engines. Although information is currently limited, it is speculated that Mazda may employ the Wankel engine as a highly efficient range extender in upcoming electric vehicles; however, confirmation is yet to come.

In terms of the NACS train, among the leading producers, solely Stellantis has yet to hop on board.