In a significant shift, the automotive industry is converging towards Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), with nearly every major automaker agreeing to adopt the technology. This move promises to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging, providing owners with access to a vast network of Superchargers.

The transformation began in May 2023 when Ford locked in a deal with Tesla, granting its EV owners access to the Supercharger network. Since then, a slew of automakers, including General Motors, Hyundai, Rivian, and Mercedes, have followed suit. By the end of 2023, almost every major player in the industry had committed to adopting NACS and providing adapters to their customers.

Tesla's charging connector design was first shared in November 2022, with the aim of encouraging network operators and automakers to adopt the technology. At the time, it seemed unlikely that the industry would shift towards NACS, given the widespread use of the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) in North America. However, Tesla's superior charging network, with its robust and user-friendly design, eventually won over the competition.

Today, there are 36,499 NACS ports available publicly in the U.S., compared to around 16,925 CCS ports. This is despite federal dollars being invested in the buildout of CCS chargers. For EV owners stuck with a CCS port, they'll have to wait for manufacturer-approved adapters, as third-party adapters are prohibited by Tesla.

Recent announcements from automakers have brought a glimmer of hope to non-Tesla EV owners. GM, for instance, has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs, allowing customers to use Tesla's Superchargers. However, they'll need to purchase a "GM approved" adapter for $225. Ford, on the other hand, has faced supply constraints, delaying the delivery of free fast-charging adapters to most customers.

Hyundai Motor Group has made significant strides in giving EV owners access to NACS chargers. Kia will start providing access to NACS chargers from January 15, 2025, while Hyundai plans to send customers who bought or leased an EV before January 31 a free NACS adapter. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 will also be manufactured with NACS plugs.

Nissan, Rivian, and Volvo (along with Polestar) have also made commitments to provide access to Tesla's Supercharger network. As the industry continues to shift towards NACS, it's clear that the future of EV charging is being rewritten.

TechCrunch will continue to track which brands have access to the Tesla Supercharging Network and update the list accordingly. As the landscape evolves, one thing is certain – the adoption of NACS is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.