US electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Motors disclosed that, in 2025, it will adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standards (NACS) into their EVs.
The move allows Lucid’s vehicles with a Combined Charging System (CCS) to charge at Tesla Supercharger network stations using an adapter. Integrating NACS will benefit its customers over time by letting them access more than 15,000 Superchargers in North America alone.
Lucid is the newest carmaker to adopt Tesla Standard. Ford was the first to integrate the connectors in May, followed by fellow Detroit car manufacturer General Motors.
However, as NACS opened possibilities to automakers, other car companies followed. Many car giants have pledged their commitment to the change, such as Toyota, Honda, Rivian, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Fisker.
Lucid CEO and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Peter Rawlinson said NACS brings them closer to offering customers broader access to reliable and convenient charging solutions.
Moreover, the company sees an integrated charging standard, supported by the nationwide release of “future-ready higher-voltage charging stations,” as crucial for encouraging EV adoption among US consumers.
Rawlinson appeared to have hesitated to switch this summer due to NACS’ lack of efficiency for fast-charging, higher-voltage battery vehicles, such as the Lucid Air.
Lucid currently only offers one EV model, the Air, in several types, including its new tri-motor Sapphire version. The company’s second model, the Gravity sport utility vehicle (SUV), is set to roll out in 2024 before deliveries.
NACS Change is a Remarkable Success for Whole EV Industry
Lucid Motors embracing NACS moves it closer to becoming the go-to EV connector in North America.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International earlier this year endorsed NACS as the EV charging standard.
As the number of auto companies shifting to NACS grows, expanding nationwide charging stations becomes a cost-efficient choice. It also makes the Tesla Standard more reliable.
Tesla benefits from NACS adoption, as they initially created it for their EVs, citing simplicity as a key to making it an ideal charging plug. Open-sourcing the connector for all vehicles appears to be a wise decision, seeing Tesla’s rivals, like Lucid, are now adopting its proprietary plug.
Lucid views the transition as a victory for the entire EV industry and not only for the Austin, Texas-based EV giant.
