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Tesla setting industry standard as Rivian, others adopt charging standard in EVs and chargers
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has announced that it will adopt Tesla’s charging standard, allowing its customers access to Tesla’s extensive charging network
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has announced that it will adopt Tesla’s charging standard, allowing its customers access to Tesla’s extensive charging network in the United States and Canada. Rivian will provide adapters for its customers to use Tesla’s Superchargers starting in spring 2024 and will also make the Tesla-style charging port a standard feature in its vehicles from 2025. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe stated that the decision was influenced by the compact design of the Tesla connector and the opportunity to leverage Tesla’s established charging infrastructure.
This move comes as a series of victories for Tesla, with other companies like BTC Power, Texas, and Hyundai also aligning themselves with Tesla’s charging standard. Tesla has recently made deals with General Motors and Ford, allowing more electric vehicle drivers to access its charging network and potentially increasing its revenue from selling power to a wider customer base.
Rivian’s stock jumped by 5.5% following the announcement, while Tesla’s shares closed 5.3% higher. Also, Rivian will continue expanding its own fast-charging network and will adopt Tesla’s standard plugs, creating an additional revenue stream from Tesla owners using Rivian chargers.
Additionally, Tesla’s Superchargers currently make up around 60% of fast chargers in the United States. The adoption of Tesla’s charging standard is seen as a significant step in displacing the rival Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which had exclusive support from the Biden administration.
Tesla’s collaboration with other manufacturers and operators to integrate its standard into their charging stations has gained momentum since deals were made with Ford and General Motors. The U.S. government is offering funding to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle chargers, and qualifying for this funding required Tesla to open up its network, leading to the rebranding of its technology as the North American Charging Standard (NACS).
The adoption of this standard by multiple industry players has been well received, and Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, expressed her enthusiasm for the industry coming together to embrace the NACS.