Volkswagen Group’s Future EVs To Use Tesla’s Charging Port From 2025

Volkswagen Group has announced that its brands will use the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in its future electric vehicles (EVs) from 2025. NACS was developed by Tesla and by adopting this charging connector type, VW’s brands will be able to use the Tesla Supercharger network in North America. 

For current cars, which use the Combined Charging System (CCS) charging port, Volkswagen says it will explore the use of adapters. Volkswagen Group sells EVs under the Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Scout brands and this move will help enable customers to use more than 15,000 Superchargers in Tesla’s network. Interestingly, Volkswagen Group did not mention its smaller brands such as Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti in the announcement. Volkswagen says the details of the integration of NACS in its models will be disclosed closer to 2025. 

Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, said, “This potentially provides them with access to more than 15,000 additional charging points as well as the current near-4,000 DC fast charging outlets operated by Electrify America.  It would mean that customers of our fast-selling electric vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 will have access to an extensive and growing charging network.” 

Electrify America and Electrify Canada, which operate more than 3,800 DC fast chargers on the continent, announced earlier this year that it will offer NACS connectors at its charging stations by 2025 and also continue to support the CCS charging port. 

Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of Charging at Tesla, commented, “With the VW Group’s commitment, almost every major automotive manufacturer is on board, rallying behind a shared vision of improving charging experiences for all EV drivers. This is only the beginning of our industry-wide efforts to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

Volkswagen joins the extensive list of manufacturers who are adopting NACS. Currently, Ford, BMW, Fisker, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, JLR, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Toyota, Volvo and Subaru have already committed to adopting the charging standard. Stellantis, who owns brands like Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, Fiat and more, is yet to announce their adoption strategy towards NACS.