Hyundai is giving its electric vehicle (EV) owners a gift: free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters. This move will grant Hyundai EV drivers access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network across the United States.
Hyundai announced that it will begin offering these adapters in the first quarter of 2025. The offer extends to both current and new Hyundai EV owners who purchased or leased their vehicles on or before January 31, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance the charging experience and further promote EV adoption.
Expanding Charging Options with NACS Adapters
With Hyundai’s authorized NACS adapter, EVs equipped with Combined Charging System (CCS) ports will gain access to over 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the U.S. This significantly expands charging options for Hyundai EV drivers, offering greater convenience and flexibility on the road. Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product at Hyundai Motor North America, emphasized the company’s commitment to listening to customer needs and making EV ownership more convenient.
Eligible Hyundai EV Models
The NACS adapters will be available for a wide range of Hyundai EVs on the U.S. market, including:
- 2024 and earlier Kona Electric, Ioniq hatchback, Ioniq 5, and Ioniq 6
- 2025 Ioniq 6, Ioniq 5 N, and Kona Electric
Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, will also participate in the program.
Key Differences from Kia’s Approach
Hyundai’s approach differs from its Kia counterpart. Kia is offering NACS to CCS adapters only for EV6 and EV9 models delivered after September 4, 2024. Earlier Kia models and Niro EVs are excluded from this offer.
Native NACS Ports in Future Hyundai EVs
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be the first non-Tesla vehicle to feature a native NACS port. Other upcoming models, such as the Ioniq 9, will also incorporate native NACS ports.
Initial Charging Speeds on Tesla Superchargers
Initially, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 will charge slower with NACS on the Tesla Supercharger network compared to using the CCS adapter. Hyundai clarifies that this is due to the current Supercharger network infrastructure, not the vehicles themselves. Tesla plans to upgrade its Supercharger network in 2025, which should improve charging speeds for vehicles with native NACS ports.
Conclusion: A Step Towards Wider EV Adoption
Hyundai’s decision to offer free NACS adapters demonstrates its commitment to improving the EV ownership experience. By providing access to the Tesla Supercharger network, Hyundai is addressing a key concern for EV drivers: charging availability and convenience. This move, along with the integration of native NACS ports in future models, signifies a significant step towards broader EV adoption in the United States.
