Volkswagen Group has announced its intention to adopt Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) charging standard. This decision extends to various brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Scout Motors. The move represents a significant shift in strategy for Volkswagen, aligning itself with the widely acclaimed Tesla Supercharger network.
Tesla’s EV charging plug gaining popularity
Volkswagen Group has revealed that it is actively exploring adapter solutions to enable its existing EV owners to access Tesla’s Supercharger network. This move is aimed at enhancing the charging experience for Volkswagen’s current electric vehicle users. The company anticipates having these adapter solutions ready for deployment by the year 2025.
Furthermore, Volkswagen Group has plans to integrate Tesla’s charging port as a standard feature in its new electric vehicle models. Starting from 2025, Volkswagen electric vehicles will come equipped with Tesla’s charging port directly from the factory. This integration is expected to provide Volkswagen customers with seamless access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, which boasts 15,000 locations in North America.
Volkswagen’s decision to embrace Tesla’s charging standard comes after a period of industry-wide changes. In November 2022, Tesla announced a shift in its charging technology, renaming it the North American Charging Standard (NACS), and opening it up to other automakers. Notably, major players like Ford and General Motors swiftly embraced this opportunity, marking a paradigm shift in the electric vehicle charging landscape.
While Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s largest automakers, had been relatively reserved on this front, the recent announcement signifies a departure from its previous stance. The company had previously been reported to be in talks with Tesla, and this latest move confirms its commitment to integrating Tesla’s charging technology into its future electric vehicle lineup.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is renowned for its superiority over many third-party EV charging stations. With 45,000 Superchargers worldwide, including 12,000 in the United States, Tesla has created a network known for its consistency, exclusivity, and reliability. The company reports an impressive average uptime of 99.95 percent for its Supercharger sites, highlighting the robustness of its charging infrastructure.
With Volkswagen Group now on board with Tesla’s charging standard, attention in the industry turns to the remaining major player yet to commit: Stellantis. Stellantis, the owner of brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, Peugeot, Fiat, and more, stands as the final frontier in Tesla’s quest for universal charging influence.
