Hi everyone,
As the owner of an ID.4, I’ve been watching the news closely for any information on whether or not Volkswagen will switch from CCS to NACS.
It seems improbable that they wouldn’t, especially since Electrify America is installing NACS on it’s chargers, but what do you think is likely to happen?
Thanks!
Why is everyone so hung up on a handle? The issue with anyone dealing with Tesla isn’t about the handle. It’s about the access.
A required NACS communication protocol is CCS. That means that any vehicle that speaks CCS, such as VW and Stellantis, can use a NACS handle with an adapter. So, that’s the issue.
The issue is whether or not Tesla will give authorization to use SuperChargers that communicate using NACS to vehicles that don’t have a deal. There’s already a dribble of that with Magic Docks where access is given through the Tesla app. The unknown question is what happens when v3 stations that speak NACS are released to other manufacturers like Chevy or Ford. Will that access be exclusively through the GM or Ford app? Or can the Tesla app be used to access those stations with an adapter? If it’s the latter, then a VW or a Dodge can access SuperChargers through an adapter just as easily a a Chevy Bolt will be able to.
There’s a perfect example of this right now in the Atlanta area. A brand spanking new v4 Supercharger has opened in East Point GA last week. 16 stations with Magic Docks. However, the station doesn’t yet show on the “Charge my non-Tesla” portion of the Tesla app. It has the adapter. It has the protocol. The app is set up to authorize a non-Tesla. But the station isn’t there yet. And no one seems to know when that authorization may come.
NACS is an open standard according to Tesla. No one needs Tesla permission to install A NACS connector on their car. Again, it’s only about access to the SuperCharging network. And since NACS speaks CCS, once that access is granted, then it doesn’t matter which handle or connector is on the car.
ga2500ev
Because it’s a nice handle that doesn’t suck? Adding an adapter to an already terrible handle just makes it terribler[sic].
That would be the other way around. It’s Teslas that would have to add the chunky CCS adapter to the CCS handle.
I finally figured out that many people are fascinated with aesthetics. Personally I could care less how something looks. I’m only concerned with functionality. The functionality I’d like to see is to pull my Bolt or my ID4 into a SuperCharger and get some electrons. Be that with a NACS handle, or a Magic Dock, or an external adapter really doesn’t matter much. But getting the access to those electrons are extremely important.
Like for example, why do we need to wait until 2024 to get access? Why can’t Ford and GM send out adapters now and Tesla grant access now? Why are the Magic Docks in v4 stations in operation that cannot be used now?
What’s the hold up?
ga2500ev
None of the chargers support it. It will take them until next year to get enough upgraded to support the CCS protocol. I have two CCS1 cars and the charging plug is by far the worst part of the charging experience. I’m a strong guy and I can’t one-hand the plug into place and the latch is broken frequently at chargers.
It’s not that handle at all. It’s the network attached to the handle.
Tesla has done a much better job at building their network. People want to use their chargers instead of other chargers. So, Tesla used that most-desired position to make their handle the standard. Everyone else has to spend money to switch over while they don’t.