Hyundai adopts Tesla’s Charging Standard for EVs in North America

Hyundai has unveiled its plan to embrace Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for electric vehicles (EVs) in both the United States and Canada. This strategic move will apply to all-new and updated Hyundai EV models, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2024, with Canada set to follow suit in the first half of 2025. While Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has confirmed a similar transition, Kia has yet to commit to this particular standard.

This transition means that Hyundai’s EVs utilizing NACS will gain access to Tesla’s extensive network of over 12,000 Superchargers throughout North America. It’s important to note, however, that not all Tesla Superchargers will be compatible with non-Tesla EVs using CCS. Tesla’s V2 hardware is expected to remain exclusive to Tesla vehicles, and most Superchargers may charge non-Tesla EVs at rates below their optimal capabilities, especially for Hyundai’s advanced Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 EVs, which support super-fast 800-volt charging not currently supported by V3 Superchargers.

Hyundai anticipates that this transition will coincide with the introduction of new home charging equipment. The company views this shift as a complement to the collaborative charging network announced by seven automakers in July, which is still in its early stages and yet to be named. This collaborative effort aims to provide 30,000 high-powered charging points, with initial installations scheduled for the middle of the next year.

What sets Hyundai’s approach apart is the sequence of integrating NACS and offering adapters for models equipped with the Combined Charging System (CCS) for fast charging. Hyundai plans to introduce adapters for its CCS-equipped models after integrating NACS into its vehicles, a different approach compared to many other automakers that have committed to NACS and provided adapters before implementation.

The list of EV manufacturers adopting NACS now includes the majority of the U.S. EV market. However, notable exceptions, such as BMW, Stellantis, the Volkswagen Group, and Lucid, may require further assurance regarding 800-volt charging compatibility. Hyundai’s approach appears to offer a versatile solution, potentially expanding fast-charging options for current and future EV owners.