Toyota to Adopt Tesla’s Charging Standard for Electric Vehicles

Toyota, one of the world’s leading automakers, has announced its decision to switch to Tesla’s charging standard for its electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the United States. Starting in 2025, all Toyota EVs in the US will be equipped with charging ports compatible with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), replacing the current Combined Charging System plugs used by US automakers.

This strategic move by Toyota aligns with the industry-wide trend of automakers shifting to Tesla’s charging standard, which has been rapidly gaining momentum. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, extended an invitation to other automakers and charging companies in November of the previous year to adopt NACS, and this call has garnered considerable support. Within six months, Ford was the first major automaker to announce its intention to transition to NACS. Subsequently, other major players in the automotive industry, including General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Honda, and more, followed suit. Most recently, Hyundai and Kia, two significant South Korean EV manufacturers, confirmed their plans to switch to NACS.

Although Toyota has been a pioneer in the hybrid vehicle market, offering more than 20 different hybrid models, it is not currently a dominant player in the electric vehicle sector. The Toyota BZ4X and Lexus RZ are the only two fully-electric models the company currently offers in the US. Nevertheless, Toyota has expressed its commitment to expanding its electric vehicle lineup in the years to come.

In response to this industry-wide transition, several EV charging companies, including Chargepoint, Electrify America, and Beam, have also announced their intentions to produce chargers equipped with NACS charging cables, in addition to the CCS (Combined Charging System) cables. By adopting Tesla’s standard, automakers like Ford, GM, and Toyota aim to provide their customers with convenient access to Tesla’s extensive network of over 12,000 fast-charging Superchargers across the United States.

However, Stellantis, the manufacturer behind brands like Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Jeep, has not yet indicated plans to switch to NACS. Although the company does not currently offer fully-electric vehicles in the US, it has plug-in hybrid models such as the popular Jeep Wrangler 4Xe. Stellantis has outlined its intention to introduce electric vehicles in the near future, including the Ram Rev electric pickup, the Fiat 500e compact car, and an electric Dodge muscle car.

Automakers with smaller market shares in the US, including Volkswagen, Mazda, and Subaru, have not confirmed their adoption of NACS. Meanwhile, major charging companies have opted to offer both types of cables, ensuring compatibility with EVs equipped with either charging port configuration.