The shift to NACS:
What it means for the future of EV charging in North America

Recent market data highlights both the speed and scale of NACS adoption. Tesla continues to lead the U.S. fast-charging market with more than 34,000 ports, the majority of which are now open to non-Tesla vehicles through adapters or direct vehicle integration. At the same time, other major charging networks, including Mercedes-Benz, BP Pulse, and Walmart Energy, have begun deploying dual CCS/NACS configurations, pushing the total number of SAE J3400 ports beyond 1,000 nationwide.

Automaker adoption is accelerating in parallel. Preliminary data presented at a 2025 CharIN Tuesday suggests that roughly one in five non-Tesla EVs sold already feature native NACS inlets, led by manufacturers such as Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Rivian. With additional automakers preparing NACS-equipped models for upcoming releases, native compatibility is expected to become the norm within the next 2 model years, reducing reliance on adapters and improving both safety and the user experience.

Technological developments are reinforcing this momentum. Tesla’s V4 charging architecture, designed to support higher-voltage vehicles and longer cable reach, reflects a growing emphasis on interoperability and flexible site deployment. New business models that enable site hosts to integrate charging hardware directly into navigation and software ecosystems may further influence how infrastructure scales across diverse locations.

To better understand industry priorities during this transition, CharIN’s North America Committee for Interoperability (NACI) Task Force conducted a comprehensive industry survey in 2025. Responses from OEMs, EVSE manufacturers, fleet operators, and other stakeholders revealed strong interest in adopting SAE J3400, along with key concerns about adapter safety, shared AC/DC pins, and consistent inlet locations. At the same time, respondents highlighted clear benefits driving adoption, including the connector’s compact design, its North America–focused standardization, and growing consumer demand.