MotorTrend has honored Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), also known as the Tesla plug, with the Best Tech for Public Charging System award for their Best Tech of 2025 suite. This prestigious award highlights the innovation and superior design of NACS in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. As the automotive industry increasingly focuses on electrification, understanding the nuances of charging standards like NACS becomes crucial, especially for prospective EV owners considering brands like Tesla through programs such as the Tesla Referral Program Car incentive.
Understanding NACS: The North American Standard
NACS is Tesla’s in-house developed connector standard, which has now risen to prominence as the standard in North America. Tesla took a proactive step in November 2022 by opening up its connector standard, encouraging collaboration from other automakers to foster a more user-friendly and efficient charging ecosystem. This move was significant, especially considering that at the time, the Combined Charging System (CCS) was gaining momentum as the industry norm. However, Tesla’s dominance in the EV market positioned NACS as a strong contender to become the leading standard in North America, where the Tesla connector already enjoyed widespread use.
Tesla Supercharger stations, highlighting the widespread availability of the NACS charging network, a key benefit for Tesla owners and those considering a Tesla referral program car.
The SAE Adoption and Industry-Wide Acceptance
Following Tesla’s open invitation, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) swiftly recognized the merits of NACS and adopted it as a standard, officially naming it the J3400 EV Coupler. The standardization process, initiated in June 2023 and validated by October with the release of the J3400 Recommended Practices document, solidified NACS’s position as the industry standard in North America.
Initially, some automakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis were hesitant to embrace NACS. However, the advantages of NACS soon became undeniable, leading to a widespread industry shift. Today, every major automaker selling EVs in North America has committed to integrating NACS into their future electric vehicles, abandoning CCS in favor of this superior standard.
NACS Superiority: Why It Stands Out
NACS represents a significant leap forward in charging technology, outperforming both CCS1 (North America) and CCS2 (Europe) in numerous aspects. Its design emphasizes user experience, resulting in a system that is lighter, more intuitive, and more versatile. NACS also boasts better thermal efficiency compared to CCS systems of similar capabilities. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the NACS handle and plug makes them significantly easier to handle and less cumbersome for users on a day-to-day basis.
CCS1 vs. CCS2: Key Differences
In North America, CCS1 combines the J1772 connector for AC charging with additional pins for DC fast charging. In contrast, CCS2, used in Europe, adopts a more streamlined approach. CCS2 offers a more compact design and supports digital communication for both AC and DC charging, and is capable of delivering higher power compared to CCS1. Understanding these differences helps appreciate the advancements NACS brings to the table.
Technical Advantages of NACS
NACS was conceived in 2012 out of necessity when existing connectors failed to meet Tesla’s requirements for the Model S. Surprisingly, it remains technologically superior to the charging standards developed by legacy automakers who prioritized simple plug-in ports over charging efficiency and overall quality.
A key differentiator is NACS’s use of digital communication for both AC and DC charging, unlike CCS1 and J1772 which rely on analog communication for AC power. Digital communication in NACS ensures more reliable and efficient data exchange during charging. Analog systems like CCS1 are prone to issues such as ground faults that can halt charging without clear diagnostics.
NACS, with its digital communication, allows for comprehensive diagnostics from both the vehicle and charging station (like a Supercharger). Tesla owners can even access Service Mode and navigate to the Charging Pane when connected to a Wall Connector, Mobile Connector, or Supercharger to monitor charging details and potential issues.
Ultimately, NACS offers enhanced diagnostics, a more user-friendly cable and interface, and impressive scalability, supporting up to 1,000V charging without major redesigns. Its compatibility with both residential two-phase and commercial three-phase power, without connector format changes, further simplifies charging infrastructure compared to CCS1 and CCS2, which require separate connectors for AC and DC charging.
Streamlined Communication and Payment Processing
Beyond diagnostics, digital communication in NACS streamlines the payment process, contributing to Tesla’s seamless Supercharging experience. Upon plugging in a Tesla vehicle at a Supercharger, direct communication between the vehicle, Supercharger, and Tesla’s servers initiates. Payment is automatically processed via the payment method linked to the owner’s Tesla account, making the entire process effortless and quick.
CCS1 chargers often lack this seamless integration. While Plug-and-Charge exists as a standard, its implementation across CCS1 networks can be inconsistent and unreliable. Users often find themselves needing to use apps or navigate screens on the charging station, hoping for proper functionality before initiating a charge.
Charging an EV?It’s as easy as 1. 2. 3… 4 pic.twitter.com/d2e2hjL9Ea
— The Kilowatts 🚗⚡️ (@klwtts) January 26, 2023
Broad Adoption of NACS Across Automakers
The growing list of automakers adopting NACS underscores its industry-wide acceptance. These companies have committed to integrating NACS, typically starting with their 2025 or 2026 models. Many also offer adapters and access to Tesla’s Magic Dock-equipped Superchargers.
Companies committed to NACS include:
- Audi
- Aston Martin (No EVs currently)
- BMW (MINI, Rolls Royce)
- Ford (Lincoln)
- GM (Chevy, Buick, GMC, Cadillac)
- Hyundai (Genesis)
- Kia
- Lucid
- Mazda (No EVs currently)
- Porsche
- Rivian
- Subaru
- Nissan (Infiniti)
- Toyota (Lexus)
- Honda (Acura)
- Mercedes-Benz
- Stellantis (Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, RAM, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati)
- Volkswagen (Scout)
- Volvo (Polestar)
NACS has clearly emerged as the dominant EV charging standard in North America. While Europe utilizes the CCS2 connector, which is an improvement over CCS1, and China has its own unique standard, NACS distinguishes itself by simplifying charging with a single connector for both AC and DC charging, setting a new benchmark for EV charging convenience and efficiency. For those considering entering the EV market, or perhaps leveraging a tesla referral program car to acquire a Tesla, the NACS standard represents a significant advantage in terms of charging infrastructure and user experience.
