Electrify America, the second-largest fast-charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, has made an important announcement. They plan to add Tesla’s charging connector to their charging stations, which is a significant step towards making Tesla’s plug the industry standard. By 2025, Electrify America aims to incorporate Tesla’s connector into both existing and future chargers. With over 800 fast-charging stations and more than 3,600 plugs nationwide, Electrify America is currently second only to Tesla in terms of fast-charging infrastructure.
Electrify America’s CEO, Robert Barrosa, expressed enthusiasm for supporting standards that promote vehicle interoperability and streamline public charging. The company will continue to offer the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector at its stations, as most EV models in the U.S. currently use this type of connector.
Several major automakers, including Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Volvo, have already committed to joining Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network and adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector for their upcoming electric vehicle models. Other companies such as Stellantis and Hyundai are also considering joining Tesla’s network.
In addition to Electrify America, ChargePoint, the largest charging network in the U.S., plans to provide Tesla connectors for use by charging site hosts starting later this year. However, it is important to note that ChargePoint’s network consists mostly of slower “Level 2” chargers. Blink Charging, another charging infrastructure provider, has also announced its intentions to include the Tesla connector in their charging stations.
The automotive industry organization SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, recently made a significant move towards adopting Tesla’s charging technology. They announced their plans to establish performance standards for Tesla’s electric vehicle charging cords, further contributing to the growing acceptance of Tesla’s plug as the industry standard. It is noteworthy that the CCS connector was originally developed under SAE’s standards.
Tesla’s Superchargers are highly sought after by other automakers due to their extensive network and strategically located stations along major travel routes. As of now, Tesla boasts the largest number of direct current fast-charging plugs in the U.S., with 1,797 Supercharger stations and over 19,000 plugs, according to the Department of Energy.
This shift towards Tesla’s connector is driven by the industry’s recognition of the need for a unified charging standard. While there are approximately 54,000 public charging stations with over 136,000 plugs nationwide, the majority are slower Level 2 chargers. However, the number of fast-charging stations utilizing direct current is steadily increasing.
Industry analysts predict that Tesla’s connector has gained considerable momentum and has the potential to become the standard in the United States. During the transition phase, it is likely that vehicles will need to support both connectors to ensure compatibility. General Motors and Ford have clarified that they are not paying Tesla for access to their Supercharger network, highlighting the collaborative nature of this evolving charging infrastructure.
The integration of Tesla’s connector into the charging infrastructure of major networks like Electrify America and the support from automotive industry organizations signify a positive step towards establishing a standardized and accessible charging experience for electric vehicle owners across the United States.
