The BMW Group has become the latest legacy automaker to confirm its participation in the North American Charging Coalition (NACS), thereby granting electric vehicle drivers in the US and Canada access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.
As Tesla’s proprietary charging connector, the North American Charging Commonplace initially gained traction; however, its widespread adoption has led to a seamless integration across the industry, with North America being its primary stronghold.
Following Tesla’s decision to open its vast electric vehicle charging network to various manufacturers, debate ensued regarding additional plugs and adapters for Combined Charging System (CCS) ports, a global standard employed by nearly all EVs.
Notwithstanding this, NACS has rapidly become the new standard in its home market following Ford’s announcement that it would adopt the technology last summer. As a leading player in the automotive sector, another prominent brand swiftly followed suit, triggering a domino effect across the industry as companies scrambled to join the electric revolution’s fast-growing ranks.
Since then, several prominent players in the automotive industry have followed suit, including Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Polestar, and even Jaguar, all venturing into the electric vehicle space with their respective offerings. This month saw a significant surge in adoption as Hyundai Motor Group announced that it will also provide NACS (Networked Autonomous Control System) across its three brands: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
By 2023, the BMW Group has officially announced that it will integrate the NACS (New Automated Charging Station) technology into its Mini, Rolls-Royce, and bespoke electric vehicle offerings in the near future.
By 2025, BMW plans to equip its electric vehicles (EVs) with advanced navigation and charging solutions through partnerships with Neutral At-Home Charging Systems (NACS).
BMW Group has announced that electric vehicle (EV) owners of its brands, including BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce, will gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network by early 2025. Within a 12-month timeframe, BMW has committed to integrating NACS into electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the United States and Canada through its existing manufacturing partnerships with these companies. According to Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW America:
Six fully electric models from BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce are now available in the United States. In the competitive electric vehicle market, ensuring that our drivers have rapid access to reliable and efficient charging solutions is our top priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and customer convenience, we are proud to announce this latest milestone in our journey towards a more electrified future.
BMW has declared its independence from an earlier agreement with six other automakers to install over 30,000 fast chargers across North America by stating a new commitment to the North American Charging Cooperative. Prospects at the upcoming community will have the capability to recharge their BMW electric vehicle models, regardless of whether their car features Combined Charging System (CCS) or Novel AC Stage 2 (NACS).
BMW plans to seamlessly integrate its three brands with Tesla’s charging network in the coming months, allowing homeowners to effortlessly pay for charging through their vehicle’s dedicated app.
