What Does Volvo, Ford, GM, and Rivian Have in Common?

Volvo joins Ford, GM, and Rivian in getting their EV customers access to Tesla’s Supercharger Network, by embracing Tesla’s North American Charging Standard.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD in Glacier Silver.

Today, Tesla and Volvo signed a deal, making Volvo the latest automaker to grant its EV customers access to the Supercharger network. Tesla’s design standard, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), is being supported by Volvo, along with US automakers Ford, General Motors, and Rivian. Volvo becomes the first European automaker to adopt NACS ports in their electric vehicles, allowing Volvo customers to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger network in North America. By 2025, Volvo will integrate NACS ports into its EVs for customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Additionally, customers will receive an adapter for the Combined Charging System (CCS) if they wish to continue using charging stations that are compatible with that standard.

Collaboration, Standardization, and Industry Precedent

For other automakers like Stellantis, Volkswagen, Lucid, Fisker, and Polestar, Volvo’s agreement with Tesla to adopt NACS and provide access to the Supercharger network has several implications. Firstly, it highlights the growing importance of collaboration and standardization in the EV industry. By aligning with Tesla’s charging infrastructure, Volvo, Ford, GM, and Rivian are able to offer their customers a wider charging network and improve convenience for EV owners. This move may prompt other automakers to consider similar partnerships or agreements with Tesla or other charging networks to enhance the charging experience for their own customers.

Secondly, Volvo’s adoption of NACS as the first European automaker to do so sets a precedent in the industry. It may put pressure on other automakers, including Stellantis (which comprises several brands like Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel/Vauxhall), Lucid, Fisker, Polestar and Volkswagen to evaluate and potentially adopt NACS to ensure compatibility and interoperability with Tesla’s Supercharger network and other widely used charging networks in North America that will also support the charging standard. This includes the likes of EVgo and ChargePoint among others.

Finally, Volvo’s decision to provide a CCS adapter to its customers demonstrates their commitment to accommodating various charging standards. This approach allows customers to have flexibility in accessing different charging networks. This includes charging networks that support CCS, commonly used in Europe. Other automakers may take note of this approach and consider similar strategies to cater to the diverse charging infrastructure available worldwide. Overall, Volvo’s agreement with Tesla and its adoption of NACS may serve as a catalyst for other automakers to reassess their charging strategies and explore partnerships or standardization efforts to enhance the charging experience for EV customers.