General Motors (GM) has announced a collaboration with Tesla to integrate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector design into the former’s electric vehicles (EVs), starting in 2025.
This step will enable GM EV drivers to conveniently access Tesla Superchargers, greatly expanding their charging options throughout North America, which currently stands at approximately 12,000 Superchargers.
The agreement aligns with GM’s ongoing commitment to invest in charging infrastructure and underscores the company’s focus on expanding access to charging at home, workplaces, and public spaces. GM already offers more than 134,000 chargers to its EV drivers through the Ultium Charge 360 initiative and mobile apps.
The collaboration will kick off in 2024 when the Tesla Supercharger Network opens its doors to GM EV drivers. Initially, an adapter will be required for charging at Tesla Superchargers. However, by 2025, GM plans to incorporate the NACS inlet directly into their EVs, allowing GM drivers to access Tesla Superchargers without the need for an adapter.
GM also intends to make adapters available for NACS-enabled vehicle owners, enabling them to charge on CCS-capable fast charge stations.
Tesla charging infrastructure senior director Rebecca Tinucci said: “Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Giving every EV owner access to ubiquitous and reliable charging is a cornerstone of that mission. We’re excited to work with other industry leaders like General Motors to provide access to the Tesla Supercharger Network via the North American Charging Standard.”
To enhance user experience and convenience, GM will integrate the Tesla Supercharger Network into its vehicle and mobile apps. This integration will enable GM EV drivers to easily locate, pay for, and initiate charging at available Tesla Superchargers.
These efforts will supplement the growing Ultium Charge 360 Network and other charging stations accessible through GM’s partnerships with different charging networks.
As part of its Ultium Charge 360 initiative, GM is actively collaborating with industry partners such as Pilot Company and EVgo to accelerate the installation of home, workplace, and public charging infrastructure.
The collaborations with Pilot Company and EVgo will add more than 5,000 DC fast chargers to the existing 13,000 DC fast chargers across North America. Furthermore, GM plans to deploy community chargers in the US and Canada.
These collective endeavors, along with the collaboration with Tesla, will provide GM customers access to one of the most expansive integrated networks of high-power charging stations in North America.
GM chair and CEO Mary Barra said: “Our vision of the all-electric future means producing millions of world-class EVs across categories and price points, while creating an ecosystem that will accelerate mass EV adoption.
“This collaboration is a key part of our strategy and an important next step in quickly expanding access to fast chargers for our customers. Not only will it help make the transition to electric vehicles more seamless for our customers, but it could help move the industry toward a single North American charging standard.”
