Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 💡 Major OEMs are teaming up to challenge Tesla’s charging dominance in the EV sector.
- 💡 Tesla’s Supercharging Network is a significant advantage for the company, and other manufacturers have signed deals to use its chargers and connector.
- 💡 General Motors, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are forming a new company to establish an expansive network of EV chargers and take advantage of federal incentives.
- 💡 The new company aims to support both Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS), making it accessible to all EVs.
- 💡 Tesla has partnerships with several automakers that have committed to adopting NACS for their electric vehicles.
Leading Automakers Form Alliance to Compete with Tesla’s Charging Network and Benefit from Government Subsidies
Tesla has long held an advantage in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, particularly with its widespread and reliable Supercharging Network. Other automakers have even struck deals to use Tesla’s chargers and connectors. However, some of these companies have now joined forces to create a new venture aiming to capitalize on federal incentives and establish an extensive network of EV chargers. This alliance, comprising General Motors, Stellantis, Hyundai (including its affiliate Kia), Honda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, is determined to challenge Tesla’s dominance and offer competitive charging options to EV owners, as reported by Reuters.
Tesla’s 48,082 connectors and 5,265 Supercharger locations are industry-leading, and their availability and reliability have encouraged car companies to adopt their connector and gain access to them to make EV charging less of a stressor for drivers.
While GM and Mercedes-Benz have already committed to adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS) that Tesla uses for its vehicles, Stellantis, Honda, and Hyundai have not. The latter three have plans to use the Combined Charging System (CCS), a different connector that rivals NACS.
However, the new company is expected to support both CCS and Tesla’s NACS. This will make it accessible to every EV out there, and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares commented on the importance of offering both connectors:
“A strong charging network should be available for all – under the same conditions – and be built together with a win-win spirit.”
Tesla has landed partnerships with Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Rivian, Polestar, Volvo, and Aptera, which have all committed to adopting NACS.
