Hyundai Motor and Kia have unveiled plans to adopt Tesla’s electric vehicle charging system in the United States by the fourth quarter of 2024. This move aligns them with other major automakers such as Ford and General Motors, who have already taken steps to integrate Tesla’s charging ports, known as North American Charging Standard (NACS), into their electric vehicles.
Tesla’s NACS has been picking up momentum recently as a prospective universal charging standard among electric vehicle manufacturers. The South Korean automotive giants have confirmed that all new electric vehicles produced from 2024 onwards will be equipped with Tesla’s NACS technology. This will provide drivers with access to an extensive network of over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai, stated that the partnership with Tesla is a significant step in their commitment to offering superior EV experiences to their customers. “This new alliance will give Hyundai EV owners reassurance in their ability to conveniently charge their vehicles, and it complements our joint venture company’s objective to establish a new, high-powered charging network featuring at least 30,000 stations across North America,” he said.
Furthermore, starting in the first quarter of 2025, owners of existing Hyundai and Kia electric vehicle models will have the opportunity to use adapters to access Tesla Superchargers.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra has indicated that by adopting the NACS technology, the automaker anticipates savings of up to $400 million. This strategic move towards standardized charging infrastructure is expected to greatly enhance the convenience and efficiency for EV owners across North America.