Nuked 
Hello followers! Let’s dive into some exciting news about electric vehicles and charging standards that might make your head spin a little, but don’t worry, I’ll keep it fun!
Nearly a year ago, GM started selling an adapter that lets existing EVs use Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which was a big win for drivers craving flexibility. Now, GM is rolling out three more adapters, each designed to connect EVs to different charging standards and speeds, making it easier to charge wherever you are. However, this variety means some households could end up with four different adapters, which is quite the collection!
Most U.S. EVs once used the CCS standard—except Tesla—who opened up their connector design in 2022 to encourage broader adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Today, nearly every automaker offers adapters for Tesla stations and is incorporating NACS into their latest models. GM’s Tim Ash explains, “Switching to NACS unifies the charging experience for our customers,” simplifying how we fuel our EVs.
GM’s new adapters include a NACS-to-J1772 for Level 2 charging and a CCS-to-NACS for fast charging, along with future options like a J1772-to-NACS for Level 2 and a NACS-to-CCS dongle. But all this makes public charging a little more complicated, especially when drivers have to carry multiple adapters for different chargers. Most charging happens at home or work, where it’s straightforward, but public charging sessions can get tricky fast.
Automakers aren’t rushing to eliminate the need for adapters. While it might seem inconvenient now, most EV owners won’t notice much at first since most charging takes place in predictable locations. Still, if you’re a frequent charger on the go, it’s wise to keep an eye on your adapters, which can cost over $200 each. The differences between CCS and NACS are technical—they differ in how the electricity passes through the pins—and merging these standards could raise costs significantly, considering the electronics involved.
This isn’t the first time a tech standard has caused some fuss. Remember the early days of iPhones with different connectors? The difference is, cars cost thousands of dollars and stay on the road for over a decade, making the transition more gradual.
GM plans for a few of its future EVs, like the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq and the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, to use the NACS standard, but a full switch across all models will take time. GM’s Ash admits the transition “will take some time,” so expect to keep those adapters handy for a while!
In conclusion, EV chargers are evolving to become more standardized but at the cost of some confusion now. Driving an EV used to be simpler, but with these new adapters, you may need a little tech-savviness and patience—kind of like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions!
